From windswept hills and hidden wildlife encounters to muddy boots, loyal dogs and stories from the natural world, Field Notes celebrates the beauty of countryside life in all its forms. This month, wildlife presenter and filmmaker Hannah Stitfall joins us to talk conservation, storytelling and life behind the lens.
For the latest edition of Field Notes, we catch up with RTS nominated wildlife presenter, filmmaker and content creator Hannah Stitfall. Best known for her work with BBC Springwatch, Winterwatch and The One Show, Hannah has built a fast-growing profile within natural history broadcasting and wildlife storytelling. With a background in zoology and wildlife filmmaking, she is passionate about bringing the natural world and environmental issues to wider audiences through television, filmmaking and social media. We spoke to Hannah about her career so far, life behind the camera, and the wildlife encounters that continue to inspire her work.
‘Our morning walks at dawn, before the hustle and bustle of people and traffic begins, are some of our favourite times together, and a walk at dawn always sets me up for the day.’
When you think of the countryside at its most alive, what does that moment look and feel like to you?
‘The countryside feels most alive to me just after sunrise, when you can see dew on the grass and the only sound you can hear is birdsong. It feels peaceful, but so full of energy at the same time. Everything is just waking up and it is my favourite time of day to go out walking with Isabelle, my German Shepherd dog. Our morning walks at dawn, before the hustle and bustle of people and traffic begins, are some of our favourite times together, and a walk at dawn always sets me up for the day.’
You spend so much time observing wildlife – what have animals taught you about slowing down and noticing more?
‘Filming wildlife for a living has taught me patience more than anything. If you sit quietly and for long enough, it’s remarkable what you start to see. I was recently sat for four hours waiting to film badgers when a little bank vole appeared, and I watched carefully as it moved through its tiny paths amongst the brambles and grass, which I’d never noticed before. It’s like you start to see the habitat around you in a completely different light and it’s a reminder that not everything valuable happens instantly. Plus, just sitting and waiting helps you feel more connected to the natural world around you, so I’d encourage people to try and do it more.’
Dogs often shape how we experience the outdoors. How does your dog change the way you move through a landscape?
‘Having my dog Isabelle, who is my entire world, makes me experience the outdoors in a very different way. It’s as if every dog walk is a new adventure – new smells, new sights and sounds, and more to discover each time we leave the house. She sticks her nose into everything, which always makes me laugh, but it also makes you notice more around you.
‘When you have a dog, you end up exploring more by taking different routes or visiting different beaches depending on where dogs are allowed. It’s purely because of Isabelle that I feel I know so much more about Cornwall’s hidden coves and gems. Our walking adventures have opened up so many wonderful local finds for me.’
‘Our walking adventures have opened up so many wonderful local finds for me.’
Is there a particular walk or place you return to again and again – and why does it hold that pull?
‘There’s a coastal path between Crantock Beach and Polly Joke, on towards Holywell Bay in Cornwall, which is without doubt one of my favourite places in the world. Even though I go there almost daily, it remains my happiest place and somewhere that really holds a pull for me. Isabelle and I often walk over to Holywell Bay together because not only is the coastline stunning, but there is so much wildlife there, which in my line of work is a must. Kestrels, peregrines, sand martins, seals, rabbits and badger setts – the list is endless – and it is simply magical. I feel very lucky to call Cornwall my home.’
Your work captures both beauty and fragility. Do you feel the British countryside is changing, and if so, in what ways?
‘Yes, I think the countryside is definitely changing. Some changes are subtle – quieter hedgerows, fewer insects and shifting seasons. Wildlife habits are definitely changing too. For example, our hedgehogs in Cornwall aren’t really hibernating anymore due to the warmer winters. Some places that once felt wild now feel more pressured by development, and over time these things become harder to ignore. It’s why I feel passionately that documenting our wildlife, and protecting as much of the natural world as we can, is so important. At the same time, and on a more positive note, I think more people are reconnecting with nature and recognising how important it is to protect these landscapes, which I hope we can continue to improve for generations to come.’
What’s a small, easily overlooked moment in nature that never fails to stop you in your tracks?
‘For me, it’s always the ‘firsts’ of spring. The first call of a chiffchaff, the first swallow or swift I see, the first bluebell, or the first smell of wild garlic.
Each and every year I get so excited when I see, smell or hear those first signs of the season, which is why spring is my favourite time of year.
For readers who want to reconnect with the outdoors, where would you suggest they begin – especially if they have a dog by their side?
‘I’d start somewhere simple and familiar: a local woodland, a coastal path or even a quiet stretch of common land. With a dog, the key is giving yourself time rather than focusing on distance. Let them lead a little, pause often and take an interest in what they see and hear. That shared curiosity is usually what opens everything up and leads to new experiences in nature.Early mornings or quieter times of day help a lot too, especially with a dog who’s excited to explore. You don’t need dramatic scenery because even hedgerows, footpaths and fields can feel extraordinary once you slow down enough to really observe them together. When you do, it truly is magical.’
Field Notes is supported by Ordnance Survey, helping people explore Britain’s landscapes with their dogs.
Enjoyed this edition of Field Notes? You’ll find it alongside dozens of other pet and countryside features in the June digital edition of Pets Magazine: Pets Magazine June Edition
