In a captivating new BBC special, broadcasting legend Sir David Attenborough turns his attention from the remote corners of the globe to the astonishing creatures thriving in the heart of England's capital. Wild London, a one-off documentary, promises intimate encounters with urban foxes, deer herds, and even pigeons that commute on the Underground.
Up Close with London's Wild Residents
The programme features Sir David, who will celebrate his 100th birthday in May, interacting closely with a host of animals. In one tender scene, he cradles a baby peregrine falcon being ringed for conservation. The documentary also follows a family of foxes in Tottenham, who have developed the curious habit of stashing chicken bones under car bonnets, treating vehicles like makeshift storage units.
Reflecting on his decision to live in Richmond for over 75 years, Sir David remarks in the film: "A wilder city is a healthier city. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else." Director Joe Loncraine revealed that Sir David's personal memories of London directly shaped the production. "He's got peregrine falcons nesting near his house and he says on camera that he used to have a hedgehog in his garden and he doesn't anymore, which he's really sad about," Loncraine explained.
Remarkable Animal Behaviours Captured on Camera
The film crew from independent production company Passion Planet documented several extraordinary behaviours never before seen in such detail. Audiences will witness:
- Peregrine falcons teaching their young to fly from the rooftops of iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and Charing Cross Hospital.
- A solitary gull in Hyde Park that has perfected a unique hunting technique: drowning pigeons in the Serpentine lake.
- Herds of deer roaming through the streets of Harold Hill in East London, weaving through traffic and feasting on garden flowers.
- The now-famous Tube-riding pigeons, a behaviour Sir David himself recalled from his time working at the BBC decades ago.
Capturing the peregrine footage was a particular challenge. "Finding the right vantage point is hard. You've got to be there at 4.30am, sometimes earlier," said Joe Loncraine. The team was also surprised when local coots in Hyde Park appeared to intervene in the gull's pigeon attacks, potentially acting as unexpected heroes.
Inspiring a New Connection with Urban Nature
David Mooney, Chief Executive of the London Wildlife Trust, who collaborated on the film, expressed his hope that the programme will inspire Londoners to look anew at the nature around them. "London is one of the greenest cities in the world, there's so much nature around us. We just really want people to stop and take a look at it," he said.
Mooney highlighted that there are over 1,600 sites of importance for nature conservation in London. He sees the broadcast as a crescendo of years of conservation work, finally bringing widespread attention to the city's rich ecology. The Trust, currently supported by 55,000 Londoners, aims to significantly grow its membership, stating: "With 9 million people living in London, we'd like to double or treble that number. There's a real mission here."
Wild London airs on BBC One at 6:30pm on New Year's Day (1st January 2026) and will be available to stream afterwards on BBC iPlayer.
