Russia’s varied landscape is home to a vast array of wildlife and plant life. Presenter Iolo Williams has now reached Russia’s Far East.
This is Kamchatka – the land of the llosgfynyddoedd (volcanoes). The area experiences extreme cold and overpowering heat.
For 50 years Kamchatka was shut off to all but the Russian army. Alaska and Japan are not far by sea and Kamchatka was an important military area. People were allowed back in in 1990.
Llyn (lake) Kurilsky in Kamchatka province is a warm water lake and an excellent source of food for the eryrod (eagles) who stay in the area all winter.
By January every year, the eogiaid (salmon) have laid their eggs and died providing an easy feast for the birds.
There is strong competition for the fish. These eryr weigh 18 pounds and have sharp beaks and claws. They are dangerous fighters.
The llwynog coch (red fox) also stays all winter and grows a long coat to cope with the cold. The llwynog doesn’t hibernate. Winter is when he looks for a mate.
Towards the end of the winter the Ceiliog y Coed (woodcock) also looks for a mate. His vocal and feather-waving performance persists until a hen appears.
As the winter draws to a close, 10,000 eirth brown (brown bears) will wake up from their six month winter sleep and start searching for food.
This gwenci (weasel) has been lucky to escape – this time.
