Countryfile presenter Hamza Yassin was left stunned after an unexpected encounter with a rare bird while filming the BBC show.
Countryfile host Hamza Yassin helped to make history after releasing a rare bird back into the wild. On Sunday evening (July 5), the much-loved BBC One nature show aired on BBC Two, with presenter Anita Rani visiting England’s east coast to explore the wildlife, landscapes, and communities adapting to life on the edge of the sea.
Northey Island in Essex was Anita’s first stop, where she discovered an important bird refuge, and elsewhere, Hazma also visited a bird sanctuary in Northumberland. “This is probably one of the best parts of my job, getting the chance to go out and see an incredible island like this one here”, Hazma admitted as he travelled to Coquet Island.
Hamza looked on as Stephen was ringing the woodlark on Countryfile (Image: BBC)
Located off the coast of Northumberland, Coquet Island is a dedicated wildlife sanctuary managed by the RSPB and is home to 40,000 seabirds during the breeding season, including puffins, Common, Sandwich, and Arctic terns. It’s also the UK’s only breeding colony of the rare Roseate tern.
Hamza visited the sanctuary during the winter, so the birds had left the area in search of warmer climates, giving the team time to look after the site and carry out restoration work.
“It’s a privilege I get to tag along, and I genuinely cannot wait,” Hamza said as he journeyed across the water in a speed boat to reach the island, where there was a surprise in store.
Hamza was accompanied by site manager Stephen Westerberg, who caught a rare bird in a mist net, a fine-mesh net placed around the island to safely catch birds flying over. In one scene, Stephen was pleased to announce that a woodlark had been caught.
The particular breed of bird lives in the UK year-round, but populations in northern countries migrate to warmer climates during the winter. Hazma announced the woodlark may have voyaged to the island from as far as Scandinavia.
The woodlark could have travelled as far from Scandinavia (Image: BBC)
“There’s only eight Northumberland records in the last 30 years,” Stephen told his colleagues and Hamza. “This is potentially the first woodlark ringed in Northumberland.”
“That’s pretty cool,” Hamza reacted before adding, “Just landing on the island in itself is a privilege. To end it with a woodlark,” as he mimicked a chef’s kiss gesture.
“I’ve seen them in the wild, but I’ve not really captured them on camera,” he said. “So, to have one in my hand and for all of us to be geeking out about this, it’s pretty exciting.”
Hamza was then tasked with the “honour” of releasing the bird back into the wild under Stephen’s guidance.
“This is such a privilege to be able to release this woodlark,” Hamza announced, “Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity, guys.”
Hamza then set the bird free before proudly exclaiming, “How cool is that?” and letting out a slight laugh.
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