Nature's Wonderlands: Islands of Evolution, BBC4 - TV review: Professor Richard Fortey was an engaging ambassador for Hawaii’s uncommon wildlife

He may not match Sir David Attenborough, but the palaeontologist and natural historian gave us a fascinating take on island species

Nature's Wonderlands: Islands of Evolution

Barefoot and dressed in a short-sleeved shirt and slacks held up with stripy braces, Professor Richard Fortey, the presenter of this three-parter, wouldn’t have looked out of place in an exotic Agatha Christie novel. He was actually in Hawaii getting up close and personal with the flora, fauna and animals. There were no surfers in sight, alas. This was a study of evolution beyond “survival of the fittest”; bringing geology and geography into the mix, and examining islands’ specialised eco-systems.

Picturesque Hawaii made a good opener as a ‘new-born’ landmass (less than five million years old). Its Honeycreeper birds were an obvious highlight. Their bright colours and powerful beaks made for good nature porn. The drawings shown on screen to highlight the adaptation process weren’t quite Darwin-sketchbook standard, but they were effective to tell the birds’ story. Elsewhere, I liked the cannibalistic caterpillars, a species that had evolved to the degree that they now turned their noses up at leaves.

Fortey is of the old school; knowledgeable, passionate. His voice lacks Sir David Attenborough’s gravelly expressiveness, but he’s a thorough and clear guide with a naughty streak. “Males are usually are the horny ones,” he said when discussing the difference between two chameleons. Some things don’t change, eh prof?