Lights, camera, wildlife! It’s Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles

Posted on 10 October 2025 • Science, maths, computing and technology, TV and radio

Britain is a treasure trove of natural history, some of it hiding in plain sight.

Now a brand new series, Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles, starts at 6.15pm on Sunday 12^th October on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer aiming to uncover just a few of those wildlife wonders lying right under our noses.

Behind the lens is much-loved wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin who zooms in across this four-part series on both the wildlife and the people who care about creatures great and small.

Bringing his trademark warmth, knowledge and enthusiasm to the screen Hamza crosses the UK, connecting with people and nature and inspiring viewers.

Unveiling fresh and surprising stories

The series uses the very latest in drone, thermal, infrared, underwater and macro technology, while Hamza himself has pushed his expertise further than ever before to unveil fresh and totally surprising new stories.

Over four episodes, we journey through the seasons, with Episode One taking us back to spring and to Suffolk, where the breeding season is underway in many of the area’s nature reserves. Hamza also witnesses the dawn chorus in all its glory, and delights in dancing grebes in the city docks of Cardiff.

It’s summer in Episode Two and time for underwater filming and locating river dwellers such as otters and beavers in Scotland as well as looking up for bats in Pembrokeshire.

For Autumn in Episode Three Hamza is on the South Devon coast to spy rare Atlantic blue fin tuna as well as his first glimpse of a kingfisher – in London. The finale is winter in Episode Four for some real hidden treasures including red squirrels and wild boar north of the border in the Scottish Highlands and a beautiful tawny owl, captured after dark in breathtaking close-up.

The Open University (OU)’s Dr Yoseph Araya and Dr Philip Wheeler contributed to the production of the series as Academic Consultants, providing expert insight and research.

Dr Yoseph Araya, Senior Lecturer in Ecology & Environmental Sciences said:

“One of the unique takes this series does is, it showcases many courageous and passionate actions ordinary members of the public do in support of nature.

“There are examples of people protecting less obvious and less charismatic species in forgotten parts of our urban cities. There are also beautiful parts of the country supporting people’s health and wellbeing, in addition to providing refuge to rare species.

“I hope the audience get inspired and motivated to make a difference, where they are to live in harmony with nature.”

Dr Philip Wheeler, Senior Lecturer in Ecology adds:

“This series has a lovely mix of nature that is truly hidden, and nature that’s hidden in plain sight, and so is accessible to many of us.

“We may never get to see Bluefin tuna in the Channel, like Hamza does, but exotic-looking things like grebes and kingfishers really do live in the middle of our towns and cities if we know where and how to look.

“Hamza’s enthusiasm for watching wildlife is really infectious: I am sure the series will inspire new generations of nature lovers. Mixed in with the fun is also quite a lot of serious biology and some strong conservation messages.”

The series supports several OU qualifications and modules including: Q52 BSc (Honours) Environmental Science; Q64 BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (Environment pathway); R16 BSc (Honours) Geography and Environmental Science; R58 BSc (Honours) Biology and M05 Master of Environmental Science.

Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Director, Broadcast & Partnerships

Academic Consultants: Dr Yoseph Araya and Dr Philip Wheeler

Media Fellow: Dr Zhraa Alhaboby

Broadcast Project Manager: Clair Robinson

OU Connect Content Producer: Xinmiao Zhang

Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles is a Silverback Films series for BBC One and iPlayer, co-produced by The Open University and The National Trust.

To support Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles The Open University has produced a limited-edition booklet and postcards, exploring hidden nature across our wild isles. To order a free copy, call 0300 303 2062 or visit bbc.co.uk/hamzashiddenwildisles and follow the links to The Open University. The booklet is authored by the OU’s Emma Rothero and Dr Vicky Taylor. (Nb. The booklet may not be available to order prior to broadcast.)

Main image: Hamza Yassin (©BBC/Silverback Films/Ellie Hilton)