Every winter, huge white swans called Bewick’s swans used to arrive at Slimbridge in big numbers. Back in the 1970s, more than 600 showed up. This year? Just 87.
So what changed? Scientists say warmer winters in places closer to Russia mean lakes and rivers aren’t freezing as much anymore. Instead of flying all the way to the UK to escape ice and cold, many swans are stopping earlier in countries like Germany and the Netherlands.
Now researchers are tracking the birds each year to figure out what these disappearing migrations could mean for the future of wildlife — and how climate change is quietly rewriting ancient animal journeys.
In How One Town Celebrates Spring With Snowdrops, people from the town of Shaftesbury celebrate the first signs of spring with a special festival. They planted over 500 snowdrop flower bulbs in a garden, helping these pretty white flowers bloom year after year. Kids also create big snowdrop lanterns, lighting up the night. The festival ends with a fun dance to wake up the "Green Man," a symbol of spring, and welcome the new season! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Countryfile, which explores rural life and traditions of the countryside.
In Belfast, Northern Ireland, researchers tried a simple but revealing experiment: they “lost” ten wallets around the city to see how people would respond. Each wallet had a little cash inside and a card showing how to return it to the owner.
Why does this matter? Scientists who study happiness say that how much people trust strangers — and how often strangers act kindly — is a big clue to how happy a place is overall. It turns out that things like strong communities, helping others, and even sharing meals can matter almost as much as money or jobs when it comes to well-being.
So the real question isn’t just how many wallets were returned — it’s what those choices say about how people treat each other, and how that shapes everyday happiness.
Flying over London in a jet? What a view! Can you figure out what time Big Ben is showing? Pretend you’re in the Vroomster soaring above London. Act out what you can see.
In The Go Jetters Visit London's Big Ben, the Go Jetters crew visits London’s House of Parliament, home to Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben. Learn how the huge bell is struck on the hour to keep time for the city of London. This video is excerpted from BBC's Go Jetters, a series that follows the adventures of four plucky international heroes as they travel the globe visiting the world’s most famous landmarks with their friend and mentor, Ubercorn, a disco-dancing unicorn.
In The Go Jetters' Tower Bridge Rescue, the Go Jetters crew is in London when the Tower Bridge breaks! Grandmaster Glitch is up to no good! The Go Jetters work together to get the bridge working again. Ubercorn shares funky facts about the Tower Bridge. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Go Jetters, a series that follows the adventures of four international heroes as they travel the globe visiting landmarks and solving environmental problems with Ubercorn, a disco-dancing unicorn.
Visit the Royal Air Force Museum, where spring cleaning means rappelling on the side of a plane in order to dust it. Extra care is also needed for Second World War planes that are almost 100 years old. This video is excerpted from BBC News.
In Making Friends, only child Eve enjoys playing with her peers, but after moving to a new school it’s been difficult to find friends to play with in her area. When a friend from choir arranges a “play date,” Eve is excited and anxious. Will her friend come on time? What will her friend think of her? This video is excerpted from BBC’s The World According to Kids, a series in which children between the ages of six and 11 across the United Kingdom share what they think of the world.
In Analyzing Convenience Foods, presenter Ruth Goodman explores the changes in United Kingdom cuisine when ready-made curries became available. Learn how microwave dinners changed the way British people ate, and how companies and home cooks worked together to make these meals delicious and authentic. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Inside the Factory, a series that takes viewers behind the scenes in the factories that make our favorite products.
In The Go Jetters Visit the Bishop Rock Lighthouse, the Go Jetters crew is on a boat race around the Isles of Scilly in the United Kingdom. They come upon Bishop Rock Lighthouse. Ubercorn shares funky facts about this long-standing, unique lighthouse. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Go Jetters, a series that follows the adventures of four international heroes as they travel the globe visiting landmarks and solving environmental problems with Ubercorn, a disco-dancing unicorn.
Every winter, huge white swans called Bewick’s swans used to arrive at Slimbridge in big numbers. Back in the 1970s, more than 600 showed up. This year? Just 87.
So what changed? Scientists say warmer winters in places closer to Russia mean lakes and rivers aren’t freezing as much anymore. Instead of flying all the way to the UK to escape ice and cold, many swans are stopping earlier in countries like Germany and the Netherlands.
Now researchers are tracking the birds each year to figure out what these disappearing migrations could mean for the future of wildlife — and how climate change is quietly rewriting ancient animal journeys.
In How One Town Celebrates Spring With Snowdrops, people from the town of Shaftesbury celebrate the first signs of spring with a special festival. They planted over 500 snowdrop flower bulbs in a garden, helping these pretty white flowers bloom year after year. Kids also create big snowdrop lanterns, lighting up the night. The festival ends with a fun dance to wake up the "Green Man," a symbol of spring, and welcome the new season! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Countryfile, which explores rural life and traditions of the countryside.
In Belfast, Northern Ireland, researchers tried a simple but revealing experiment: they “lost” ten wallets around the city to see how people would respond. Each wallet had a little cash inside and a card showing how to return it to the owner.
Why does this matter? Scientists who study happiness say that how much people trust strangers — and how often strangers act kindly — is a big clue to how happy a place is overall. It turns out that things like strong communities, helping others, and even sharing meals can matter almost as much as money or jobs when it comes to well-being.
So the real question isn’t just how many wallets were returned — it’s what those choices say about how people treat each other, and how that shapes everyday happiness.
Flying over London in a jet? What a view! Can you figure out what time Big Ben is showing? Pretend you’re in the Vroomster soaring above London. Act out what you can see.
In The Go Jetters Visit London's Big Ben, the Go Jetters crew visits London’s House of Parliament, home to Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben. Learn how the huge bell is struck on the hour to keep time for the city of London. This video is excerpted from BBC's Go Jetters, a series that follows the adventures of four plucky international heroes as they travel the globe visiting the world’s most famous landmarks with their friend and mentor, Ubercorn, a disco-dancing unicorn.
In The Go Jetters' Tower Bridge Rescue, the Go Jetters crew is in London when the Tower Bridge breaks! Grandmaster Glitch is up to no good! The Go Jetters work together to get the bridge working again. Ubercorn shares funky facts about the Tower Bridge. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Go Jetters, a series that follows the adventures of four international heroes as they travel the globe visiting landmarks and solving environmental problems with Ubercorn, a disco-dancing unicorn.
Visit the Royal Air Force Museum, where spring cleaning means rappelling on the side of a plane in order to dust it. Extra care is also needed for Second World War planes that are almost 100 years old. This video is excerpted from BBC News.
In Making Friends, only child Eve enjoys playing with her peers, but after moving to a new school it’s been difficult to find friends to play with in her area. When a friend from choir arranges a “play date,” Eve is excited and anxious. Will her friend come on time? What will her friend think of her? This video is excerpted from BBC’s The World According to Kids, a series in which children between the ages of six and 11 across the United Kingdom share what they think of the world.
In Analyzing Convenience Foods, presenter Ruth Goodman explores the changes in United Kingdom cuisine when ready-made curries became available. Learn how microwave dinners changed the way British people ate, and how companies and home cooks worked together to make these meals delicious and authentic. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Inside the Factory, a series that takes viewers behind the scenes in the factories that make our favorite products.
In The Go Jetters Visit the Bishop Rock Lighthouse, the Go Jetters crew is on a boat race around the Isles of Scilly in the United Kingdom. They come upon Bishop Rock Lighthouse. Ubercorn shares funky facts about this long-standing, unique lighthouse. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Go Jetters, a series that follows the adventures of four international heroes as they travel the globe visiting landmarks and solving environmental problems with Ubercorn, a disco-dancing unicorn.