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With more than 6,000 rivers criss-crossing our land, their denizens often go unnoticed. Solid bones and high oxygen levels mean a dipper bird can dive underwater for 30 seconds.

In the varied water worlds all kinds of wildlife thrive, from slithering grass snakes to delicate reed warblers.

Evidence of how the countryside has changed more in the last 100 years than in the previous two thousand. Barn owls fight for their territory against kestrels.

On North Ronaldsay, one rare breed of sheep can subsist on a diet of only seaweed. In the Shetlands, otters benefit from a current of warm water flowing up from Spain.

Hedgehogs have declined in numbers from 30 million to one million in 60 years. Great crested newts enjoy an elaborate courtship in larger ponds.