Episode 1

The Forestry Commission's recreation team are tasked with rebuilding steps on a well-worn pathway at Fairy Knowe. Getting the hunks of granite rock to the remote location 330ft up a hillside is one challenge, digging them in by hand is another. A team of specialist contractors arrive from Wales to harvest timber from some of the most inaccessible areas of the forest using a massive system of cables and winches called a skyline. Conservationists Bill and Christine have an unusual project deep in the heart of the forest, where they breed and hand-rear hyacinth macaws, the world's largest flying parrot. On a remote peat-bog the size of 32 football pitches Graeme Little operates his own customised mulching machine in a conservation project to restore the natural habitat. Written by Mark_a_Wood markawood@hotmail.co.uk