Filming with a Legend

 

Happy New Year, everyone! Hope you had a great Christmas break.

On May 15th 2025 my good buddies Paul Hawkins, Shaun Harvey and myself were lucky enough to film alongside Sir David Attenborough at the Houses of Parliament, a once in a lifetime experience that none of us will ever forget. Such a privilege to see the great man at work, incredibly knowledgeable as you would expect and such a presence.

Amongst other wildlife filmed it shows Sir David, a long time hero of mine and no doubt many others, narrating on Parliaments Peregrines. In particular, with excellent footage all round, it shows him featuring with one of the 4 chicks. An incredible professional as ever even at his age – 99 ! , the whole scene was all done in one take!

The clip with the chick and him talking to it in his distinctive voice, especially when it looked up, absolutely put a smile on everybody’s face in the room.

It was shown on New Years Day and called Wild London, it is now available on iPlayer.

Also with us that day was Tom Maher from Parliament. Tom’s been managing the peregrine project since they first arrived in 2008, and I know it was a pretty special experience for him, too. His dedication has been a huge part of the birds’ success over the years.

All was undertaken and covered under Schedule 1 licence, and with the agreement of NaturalEngland/BTO, whom I was in contact with. This was to ensure that no extra stress occurred, to chicks or adults, and the process was all undertaken as quickly and efficiently as possible.

As it happened, neither adult were aware of the colour ringing process of the 4 chicks, although they had the Riverside Tower nest site in view at all times, the chicks were unseen as both were resting up behind on Central Spire.

Last year, as well as their BTO metal and white colour ring, all 4 chicks were swabbed for DNA, myself, Paul and Shaun have been doing this at every Peregrine nest site.

DNA logging is to combat Wildlife Crime, the idea being a massive UK database is being created, to eventually register all peregrine nests/sites, so that if any illegal activity comes to light, the DNA data will prove origins and if a wild bird or not.

In the footage, you’ll see one of them getting stuck below the nest site. Juveniles have a knack for getting into trouble after they leave the nest—getting trapped or even falling prey to predators.

To wrap up, it was an incredible day, though there were a few stressful moments for all of us just hoping everything would come together. After all, you’re working with nature, and things don’t always go to plan!

Note to self: smile more!

                                                            Paul and Shaun swabbing

Paul, Shaun, Sir David, myself and Tom

                                                                          Swabbing

                                                                 Getting ready to film

                                                 Sir David's Chick coming down for ringing

                                                               The great man at work