ROXY: Hey Wildlifer, Roxy here, Apprentice Ranger with Ranger
Rae and the Wildlifers. And this week Ranger Rae is travelling to
the wonderful Bystock Pools in Devon. And you know, wherever
there's ponds and pools there'll be...
That's right, frogs! So let's check in and see what this funny
little Frog is up to.
FROG: Boing, boing, boing. Nobody can jump higher than me.
Boing, bounce, boing.
Just another jump up here and I've got the perfect view of my
precious pond. Boing. Ah, there it is. Bystock Pools, or as we
like to call it, home. Uh-oh, bird attack!
Oh, I just need to use my awesome agility and legendary
leap to dodge this one. Steady, steady, here it comes.
And boing!
Aha! Another easy dodge for Frog! Oh, look at all my lovely
Frog spawn down there! Soon there'll be tadpoles, and soon
those tadpoles will be frogs like me, and...
Hey!
Some of my Frog spawn is missing! Oh no! Oh no, oh no!
This won't do at all! There's only one person who can help me
now! Awoooooooooo
VOICE OVER: Across the many majestic wild spaces of the
United Kingdom, from woods, wetlands, to mountain and heath,
whenever help is needed, one ranger and her animal friends
always answer the call. It's Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers!
RANGER RAE: I can talk to animals.
It's a ranger's dream!
THEME TUNE: It's Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers!
RANGER RAE: Say hello to my animal team!
THEME TUNE: With Deer and Fox and Wildcat. Mole and Dragonfly,
Beaver and Bat.
BEAVER: Sound the alarm, and we'll come running to you.
DEER: With our animal powers, we'll know what to do.
THEME TUNE: It's Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers.
FROG: Ribbit.
Oh, I wonder how long it'll take them to get here. Oh, my poor
Frog spawn. I hope it's not long, but we're all the way out
in...
RANGER RAE: Did somebody call for Ranger Rae? I'm here with
Beaver and Dragonfly and Roxy to save the day.
FROG: Ranger Rae, is it really you?
BEAVER: And yes, it's really me, Super Beaver, the Wildlifer.
Please, please hold your applause.
DRAGONFLY: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz-
zzz
RANGER RAE: Sorry, Dragonfly, could you say that again?
DRAGONFLY: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz-
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz- zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
BEAVER: Uh, could you repeat that one more time.
DRAGONFLY: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz-
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz- zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
RANGER RAE: We'll have to come back to that later Dragonfly.
DRAGONFLY: Ah, Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
ROXY: At least it's not just me that can't understand what
Dragonfly is saying.
BEAVER: I like those lily pads, frog. They must make a great
resting spot.
FROG: Oh they do and they're a great hiding spot when hungry
birds are about.
RANGER RAE: Is that your frog spawn in the pond?
FROG: Oh, it is, but some of it is missing.
RANGER RAE: Where did it go?
FROG: I don't know. That's why I called you, Ranger Rae. I need
to get it back so the spawn can become tadpoles, and the
tadpoles can become frogs just like me, Frog.
BEAVER: So we have to find whoever and whatever took the
Frog spawn, and tell them to put it back.
FROG: Great plan, Super Beaver. How are we going to do that?
BEAVER: Oh, well, I... I don't know. It was more of a
description of what we should do rather than a plan.
DRAGONFLY: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz-
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz- zzzz
BEAVER: Yeah, see you later. Sounds like Dragonfly has a plan
anyway.
RANGER RAE: Did anybody catch any of it?
ALL: No.
BEAVER: I suppose I could go for a swim and see if I find
anything.
RANGER RAE: Great idea, Super Beaver. You meet us back here
when you're done.
BEAVER: Super Beaver, away!
ROXY: Ranger Rae, do you think someone on a hike took the Frog
spawn?
RANGER RAE: Maybe. It's actually illegal to remove many types of
Frog spawn from a public pond in the UK, but a lot of people
don't know that. Frog, is there anybody that might have seen
anything?
FROG: I suppose there is one creature we could ask.
Toad? Toad? Are you in there? We need your help.
TOAD: Rrrr
ROXY: Ranger Rae, I thought Toads said ribbit, like frogs.
RANGER RAE: No, they make more of a rrrr sound, a bit like a
duck.
TOAD: Rrrrr. Just a minute.
Just a minute.
FROG: Hurry up, Toad, it's an emergency.
TOAD: Alright, alright, no need to hop off the handle. Now, what
seems to be the problem?
FROG: Somebody or something has snatched my spawn.
TOAD: Oh, that won't do at all, will it? Very troublesome
indeed. Tut, tut, tut.
FROG: It's more than troublesome. It's illegal!
ROXY: Ranger Rae, I thought frogs and toads looked the same.
RANGER RAE: No, toads have much bumpier skin and their skin
stays quite dry. Frog skin actually looks quite wet.
TOAD: So, are you here to track down this spawn snatcher?
RANGER RAE: That's the plan. Well, it's more of a description
of what we hope to do rather than a plan.
TOAD: Let me just have a look over the pond and see if it jogs
the memory somewhat.
ROXY: I thought toads hopped about like frogs?
RANGER RAE: No, toads prefer to walk and crawl around. Their
legs are much better suited to that than hopping.
FROG: Get a move on, Toad. Why don't you hop like me? Boing,
boing, boing.
See? Much better.
TOAD: You frogs are always in such a rush. We toads like to
take it slow. Enjoy each second as
it.............................- ..........................
passes.
Now let me see. A fine collection of spawn you have
there. Appears to be some missing, though.
FROG: I know, I know. Did you see anything?
TOAD: Now that I think about it, I do remember seeing something
down by the spawn.
FROG: Was it a bird? Or maybe a bat?
TOAD: No, it was a...
FROG: A cat? Or even a rat?
TOAD: No, it was a...
FROG: A shark? Actually, no, that's impossible.
TOAD: It was a human.
RANGER RAE: So a human took the spawn. That's not good. But at
least it gives us a chance of getting it back.
FROG: Was this human alone? Was it a group effort? Give me back
my spawn!
TOAD: It was a lone human with a jar.
FROG: Right, let's go catch that human.
(Bird call) Oh, come on, another bird attack! Better get ready to
dodge. Are you with me, Toad?
TOAD: No, I think I'll stay put, thank you.
FROG: And boing
ROXY: Watch out Toad, it's going to grab you.
TOAD: I'd like to see it try.
ROXY: What happened? I was sure that bird was going to grab
Toad.
RANGER RAE: Toads are able to release a smelly poison from
their skin, perfect for putting predators off.
TOAD: Yes, I find all that desperate, hopping frog does
rather undignified and uncouth. Best of luck with the spawn
search. You know where to find me.
RANGER RAE: Come on Frog, let's get back and see if Beaver or
Dragonfly have any updates.
ROXY: So, Wildlifers, we know it was a human who took the Frog
spawn. That should help us track him down. Also, I didn't know
toads prefer to walk and could secrete smelly poison. Aren't
toads amazing?
I hope we bump into them again. Anyway, back to the adventure.
BEAVER: You see, that's the thing, Dragonfly. I mean, I know
I'm a Super Beaver, but maybe I could raise my game a bit. Be
even more super, you know.
DRAGONFLY: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
BEAVER: So true, Dragonfly. So true.
FROG: Did anybody find my spawn?
BEAVER: Whoa, where did you come from?
RANGER RAE: We're just back from Toad's place. They saw someone
in and around the spawn.
BEAVER: Did Toad's place have a little chair?
RANGER RAE: I'm not sure, why?
BEAVER: Because wouldn't that be a toadstool?
It's a toadstool, ha ha ha. Oh, suit yourselves.
FROG: Did you see anybody, Beaver?
BEAVER: As a matter of fact, I did see someone on a walk around
the ponds. But no sign of Frog spawn.
RANGER RAE: Ooh, did they have a jar?
BEAVER: Let me see. Did they have a jar? A jar. Did they have
a jar?
What's a jar?
FROG: It's a round container.
BEAVER: Oh, a jar.
Yes, they were carrying a jar.
FROG: That must be them.
RANGER RAE: Great work, Beaver. Now let's go find that human.
Frog, you stay here and keep an eye on the rest of the spawn.
We'll be back soon.
FROG: Thanks, Ranger Rae.
BEAVER: All right, folks. Follow me.
RANGER RAE: Er er er er
BEAVER: Oh yes, sorry. Forgot you can't all swim like a Super
Beaver.
On foot we go.
Now, let me see. Ah yes, there they are.
RANGER RAE: It looks like they're collecting some
wildflowers now.
ROXY: They must have been to the wildflower meadow.
RANGER RAE: Excuse me, my name is Ranger Rae. I was wondering
if you happened to pick up some Frog spawn back at the pond.
TEACHER: Yeah, I have some here. Just getting some pretty
wildflowers now too.
RANGER RAE: You might not be aware of this, but it's actually
against the law to collect many types of Frog spawn from parks
like this.
TEACHER: Oh, I know. I'm a huge Frog fan.
ALL: You are?
TEACHER: Of course.
Frogs are fantastic.
I'm a teacher. The wildflowers are for our nature table, and
the children really wanted to see tadpoles hatch from Frog
spawn, so I collected some in this jar.
RANGER RAE: You really shouldn't take any Frog spawn, even if it
is for teaching.
ROXY: And we made a promise to a Frog we'd get it back.
TEACHER: You made a promise to a Frog?
DRAGONFLY: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz-
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
BEAVER: That's a great plan, Dragonfly, but there's just one
problem. Nobody understands what you're saying.
DRAGONFLY: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
ROXY: Ranger Rae, I know how we can get the Frog spawn back to
our friend and let the children see the tadpoles.
RANGER RAE: Let's hear it, Roxy.
ROXY: Well? Why don't we?............................-
............
TEACHER: Welcome to Bystock Ponds, class. Who's ready to see
some tadpoles?
RANGER RAE: Great idea, Roxy. Instead of bringing the tadpoles
to the children, we bring the children to the tadpoles.
FROG: And they should be ready for their first swim any minute
now. Thanks, Ranger Rae. You really did save the day.
RANGER RAE: Don't thank me, thank Roxy. This was her idea.
FROG: Thanks, Roxy. Now I'd better hop to it and make sure
my tadpoles are safe. Boing!
RANGER RAE: Roxy, do you know what one of the most important
parts of being a ranger is?
ROXY: Er, is it the uniform?
RANGER RAE: Ha ha ha, no.
It's educating the public about nature. And look at all those
boys and girls getting a first-class nature education
today, all thanks to you.
TEACHER: Look everybody, here come the tadpoles!
ROXY: It feels good to teach people about nature. There's so
much to learn.
Wow, wasn't that a fun adventure? It felt so nice to
see all those children learn about Frog spawn. And I finally
got to see some tadpoles in the wild.
All this adventure is missing is a little bit more Toad.
TOAD: Hello, everybody.
RANGER RAE: Hello, Toad.
BEAVER: I suppose you'll be joining Frog and the tadpoles
for a swim?
TOAD: Nah, I'm not very fond of the water.
BEAVER: What?, but you're a Toad.
TOAD: Exactly! I'm a Toad.
Not a Frog.
RANGER RAE: Well, Wildlifers, this certainly was an adventure.
ROXY: It sure was.
BEAVER: And how.
DRAGONFLY: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz-
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
BEAVER: Here, here, Dragonfly. Couldn't have said it better
myself.
RANGER RAE: What did they say?
BEAVER: Something about having four wings and six legs, I
think.
ROXY: Now that we've solved the Frog spawn issue, can we explore
Bystock Pools? I want to see the wild flower meadows and take a
stroll on the boardwalk.
RANGER RAE: Great idea, Roxy.
BEAVER: Come on, everybody. Follow me.
Whoops, forgot you aren't all super swimmers like me again. On
foot we go.
THEME TUNE: It's Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers.
VOICE OVER: We hope you're enjoying the new adventures of
Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers. To celebrate the launch, it's
competition time!
We've got 10 Ranger Fun Pack prizes up for grabs. For a
chance to win a Ranger Fun Pack, you'll need to answer this
question correctly.
What is a common nickname for puffins? Is it A. Clowns Of The
Sea, B. Bright Beaked Birdies, or C. Rainbow Jesters? Top tip!
Listen to Ranger Rae and the Wildlifers episode one, Puffin
Panic at the Farne Islands to find out. If you're under 16, an
adult must enter on your behalf.
Please ask your grown-up to follow the link in the podcast
show notes or at nationaltrust.org.uk/kids-podca-
st. This competition is free to enter and closes at midnight on
the 13th of November 2024. You can only enter the competition
once and full terms and conditions apply. Good luck!
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