Wild Isles came and it conquered. From some of the British Isle’s greatest nature spectacles, to intimate never seen before moments, the blockbuster series revealed the majesty of the wild, but also the precarious nature of so much of it. Throughout, social media was buzzing with clever conversations, intelligent observations and dramatic deliberations about the wildlife on show. We’ve picked out some of the top moments which got you, and us, talking on Twitter.
The first episode, Precious Wild Isles jumped straight into the action, with hunting Orca off Shetland.
For many, it was a surprise that these supreme predators can be found here, with Daniel Huertas Tweeting: “#orca in #WildIsles? Shut the front door! SO much nature to love. Great show, can't wait for next episode! Congrats to a great team.”
There was a lot of heartache for the seals, but also respect for the clever tactics employed by the Orca, including this comment from our own ambassador Deborah Meaden: “Clever Orca #WildIsles”
And this one from Hare: “Just watching #WildIsles - Orca *deliberately* swim on their sides so that their dorsal fin doesn't break the surface? That's so clever! And sneaky.”
When Sir David Attenborough is at the helm, memorable lines are guaranteed. One line in particular struck a chord from the Woodland episode, when Sir David said, for Robins “a human with a spade is just a pig on two legs.” He was referring to the fact robins have followed snuffling wild boar for thousands of years on the lookout for freshly dug up minibeasts. Today, they do the same with gardeners, something Ange Garrod could relate to… “Lol, they always follow me in the garden when planting things… plenty of nice juicy worms!”
Michaela Winter Tweeted: “Nature teaching us humility “to a Red Robin a human is basically just a pig on two legs” #Attenborough
And what a tree it is. The ancient oak in Richmond Park, London, is 700 years old and the footage of Sir David beside it in the Woodlands episode captured hearts online.
Megan Lock Tweeted “Both icons of the British countryside #wildisles. There are more ancient native oak trees in England than the rest of Europe combined.”
Sarah R, who already had a soft spot, and a name, for the tree, said: “#WildIsles has made Chonkytree, the veteran #Richmond Park pollared oak famous! Glad to hear that this exceptional veteran is David Attenborough’s favourite #Richmond Park oak too - #thicktrunktuesday
It was all too much for Dr Joe Flatman. He Tweeted “#WildIsles and #DavidAttenborough introduces me to his favourite oak tree, the one he’s known for over 70 years. I’m a sobbing emotional wreck already.”
Wild Isles was full of amazing footage using the latest techniques, but one which really hit home from the Woodlands episode was when the Starlings came home to roost.
Thermal image cameras illuminated thousands of them chattering and bickering in the blackness… and revealed they were being hunted by a hovering Barn Owl.
Twitter was alive with praise for the fantastic footage, with Emma Chaplin Tweeting “The Barn Owl / Starling thermal camera work is INCREDIBLE #WildIsles”
It was a subject which many of us have never even thought about, but now many of us can’t unsee. The slippery scenes in the Woodlands episode provoked much debate online, with some using pictures to illustrate, including Sarah... Kerri Devine on the other hand pictured her dog’s reaction.
There was one scene which bee-witched viewers in the Grasslands episode. After laying her egg in a snail shell the Two-Coloured Mason Bee then hides the shell under sticks. She collects these individually, buzzing along like she’s carrying a broom.
Sharon was also impressed, praising the unique access nature programmes give us to wildlife. She Tweeted: “Astounding what happens in nature that most of us are oblivious to. Thank goodness for programmes like this.”
With their size, speed and power, the UK’s eagles – both Golden and White-Tailed, made it onto many people’s top #WildIsles moments.
The eagles of the Isle of Islay featured in both the opening episode and Grasslands, with Golden Eagles seen hunting hares while White-Tailed Eagles were swooping for Barnacle Geese. It was edge of your seat stuff, with Jen Smart Tweeting “Wow wow wow - that footage of the eagles hunting the geese was extraordinary #WildIsles”
Sam was impressed by the sheer scale, saying “That goose shows how ENORMOUS a Golden Eagle is! Wow!” #WildIsles
For Andy Gell, Sir David’s commentary added another memorable quote to his ever-growing list. “Islay is Top Gun for Eagles” best quote from #WildIsles tonight. A sky dancing Hen Harrier, a Buzzard and a Golden Eagle hunting meant I was in raptor rapture😍
The freshwater episode featured many memorable moments, but Atlantic Salmon leaping upstream might have just bagsied top spot.
Underwater drones captured them leaping from below the surface for the first time, while Sir David’s commentary described the desperate position the British Isles’ Atlantic Salmon are in.
The Ocean episode didn’t disappoint, with battling seals, huge whirlpools, serene seahorses and Blue-Fin Tuna hunting off our coast. But a tender moment between Sir David and a Manx Shearwater, taking to the air for the first time, also inspired many to take to Twitter.
Henry Wismayer Tweeted: “There was a gorgeous moment in last night's #WildIsles when Attenborough, enthusiasm undimmed at 96, delighted in watching a young Manx shearwater prepare to embark on its first flight.
My son's comment: "Wow, he just really loves that bird."”
The brilliantly named Punk Rock Caveman Tweeted: “Why am I nearly crying at David Attenborough saying good luck to a Manx Shearwater? #WildIsles has been absolutely top TV and that moment should be best clip of 2023 by a long way. What a message to bring to people and how we need to save what nature we have.”
We’d love to know what moments left a lasting impression on you – tag us on Twitter using the hashtag #WildIsles and let us know.
