Nigel Hand is among the UK’s leading adder specialists having actually dealt with the snakes for more than twenty years, and has actually originated a method of tracking the types.
His know-how has actually resulted in previous television work making movies for Countryfile, the One Show and Spring Watch.
In 2021 he got a call from the manufacturers of Wild Isles, Sir David’s latest big-budget wildlife series that airs for the very first time on BBC One this month.
“They contacted me to come and film adders. Unfortunately the sites in the midlands are small and often disturbed so we had to go a bit further afield,” said Nigel.
“We filmed in the north of England for two weeks and saw quite a few adders. Simon King was the lead cameraman.”
A male and female adder found while on place for Wild Isles (Image: Nigel Hand)
Nigel was welcomed to see the completed program at a best occasion in London participated in by Sir David himself.
“Sometimes you just get a number of seconds on these things however this is rather a long bit and it reveals adders in a more understanding light. It’s truly amazing video footage shot right on our doorstep.
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“This is a blue-chip documentary with the ultimate in UK wildlife footage. And it’s really about the animals – it’s a lavish production.”
Nigel hopes the Grasslands episode of Wild Isles, which will be revealed on BBC One on March 26 at 7pm, will provide the understanding of adders an increase.
An adder shot on place in the north of England (Image: Nigel Hand)
“I’ve had passion for reptiles and amphibians since I was spotting them from the top of the playground at school in Stourbridge,” said Nigel.
“They were quite a typical types however the numbers have actually truly decreased – in 1990 there had to do with 50 adder websites in the midlands with about 240 adders, now there are 9 websites with 38 adders.
“We’re losing a lot of species that people aren’t so aware of and maybe aren’t as fond of – but adders are an important, beautiful and fascinating species.”
