Autumn begins on the south Devon coast, where a huge predator is making a comeback in British waters. Atlantic bluefin tuna leap from the water, ambushing small fish and putting on an amazing show. But finding them in the rough waves won’t be easy.

Then it’s over to London, where Hamza is after a bird he’s, surprisingly, never seen before. With help from Lira Valenica from Walthamstow Wetlands, Hamza gets his first ever glimpse of the colourful kingfisher. In Highgate cemetery, there’s a family of foxes who have made their home among the tombs and gravestones.

Next, Hamza heads to Ireland where a special cave is revealing new species that could come from a horror movie; fungus that turns spiders into zombies.

In Lancashire, small shy birds called bearded tits give Hamza the view of a lifetime, and in Morecambe Bay people are being prescribed time in nature to treat a whole range of mental health concerns. With falling leaves, Autumn is the domain for fungus and with groundbreaking new science and special kit, Hamza reveals their world in a new light.

And to end his autumn, Hamza heads to Dartmoor to indulge in the night sky and stargaze.

Filming Feats:

• Atlantic bluefin tuna – Hamza and the team captured astonishing 4K blue chip footage of Atlantic bluefin tuna hunting off the coast of South Devon – this has never been filmed like this before – unprecedented numbers of fish were filmed breaching the surface and preying upon garfish. Hamza was positioned right at the water’s edge, with the crew, affording them front row seats and incredible close-up behaviour.
• Cordyceps – New species of cave dwelling cordyceps fungus filmed for broadcast for the first time
• Biofluorescent fungus – Filmed under specialist UV lights with expert camerawoman Katie Mayhew – rarely filmed in this way, Hamza delights in seeing fungi and woodland organisms revealed in a new light. The team also using high magnification macro lenses to insect microscopic life on the back of a leaf – neither Hamza nor Katie knew what they would find until they filmed the scene.
• Morecambe Bay – Offers the backdrop for a pioneering wellbeing project, which puts nature at the forefront, when it comes to improving people’s mental health and wellbeing. The Bay – A Blueprint for Recovery is a partnership with Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, and was developed in collaboration with Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, and the Eden Project. Hamza met with local participants to find out more about how nature has helped them through tough times, isolation and loneliness.

Locations and species filmed:

• Atlantic bluefin tuna: Start Point, Devon
• Kingfisher: Walthamstow Wetlands, London
• Foxes: Highgate Cemetery, London
• Cordyceps and caves: White Fathers Cave, Ireland
• Bearded reedlings: RSPB Leighton Moss, Lancashire
• Waders of Morecambe Bay: Morecambe Bay, Lancashire
• The Bay Project: Morecambe, Lancashire
• Biofluorescent fungi: Brook Wood, Dartmoor National Park
• Dark skies: Combestone Tor, Dartmoor National Park