New Clip From Penguins - Spy In The Huddle Narrated By David Tennant

A preview clip from episode two of the brilliant new wildlife programme Penguins - Spy In The Huddle is now available to watch. David Tennant narrates the three part series which used innovative hidden camera techniques to gather exclusive footage of three species of penguin in the Antarctic, Peru and the Falkland Islands. Episode two follows the hatching and growth of the penguin chicks. Details below:


Epsisode 2 - First Steps

Watched by spycams, chicks are hatching out all over. Male emperors form an identity parade before handing over their newborns to the returning females. The mothers shuffle into a huddle to protect their offspring from a blizzard. Outside, one tiny chick doesn’t make it and lies frozen by his mother. Chickcam films the young ones walking on their mothers’ feet and taking their own first unsteady steps. Females without young try to kidnap the new arrivals and giant petrels force the chicks to huddle for protection.

On the Falklands, rockhopper chicks meet some unruly neighbours – king cormorants. Predatory vultures are seen off by a penguin army. Caracara birds grab an eggcam and film the aerial shots of the colony! Parents take a rock shower and even ‘chimney climb’ to their own private spa. The chicks face more predators and bereaved parents plan a chicknap.

In Peru, Humboldt chicks emerge into the desert. The adults leave their burrow plastered in mud and needing a bath. They’re joined in the waves by Humboltcam and boisterous fur seals. Home alone, the chicks shoot gulls with projectile poo and the colony faces a huge cormorant invasion.

The chicks are learning to become adult penguins.

Watch the clip here (may only be available to viewers in the UK)

Visit the John Downer Productions website for an episode guide and details about how the programme was made and the different robotic cameras that were employed.

Watch Episode 2 of Penguins - Spy In The Huddle on BBC One and BBC One HD at 9pm on Monday 18th February.

If you missed Episode 1 there is a repeat showing on BBC One / HD at 5.05pm. It is also available via BBC iPlayer until Monday 4th March.