‘A Wild Year on Earth’ Recap: ‘A Time of Migration’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘A Wild Year on Earth’.
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Summer is a time of year where humanity is eager to relax and understandably so. After all, the heat is simply unbearable in July and August, and that is definitely one solid reason to take it easy, since it ensures one doesn’t spend too much energy in the sweltering heat. But another big reason why we love to relax during this time of year, is because the weather is gorgeous and the outdoors calls to us and that’s why we take the time to hop on a plane to our favorite beach or lake, so that we can kick back and enjoy everything mother nature has to offer and forget about our everyday troubles in the process.

But while we are lounging about and enjoying an iced tea without a care in the world, the natural world is in motion during this time of year, something that last night’s episode of A Wild Year on Earth, explored in great detail. For ‘A Time of Migration’ took the time to show us exactly how summertime is host to some important moments on planet Earth, the kind that trigger animals to begin to move about the globe and one catalyst for this shift, is the melting of ice. Because the heat bearing down in July and August melts away plenty of polar ice, which enriches the water with precious nutrients and that is what motivates Auks to make their way to their breeding grounds in the Svalbard archipelago so they can use that rich water to aid in raising their young.

In fact, they’ve been coming to this part of the world for so long, that it has become tradition for them to use the cliffs they make nests within, to teach their children how to fly. Which allowed for us to watch some touching moments, as the chicks took to the sky with a parent behind them, to ensure they would safely reach the sea. But while it was nice to enjoy some gentle moments, there were more migrations triggered by summer for us to explore. For the changes in arctic temperatures also motivates the salmon of Alaska to head upstream and spawn, which in turn feeds a great many bears since they too have come here, armed with the knowledge that the water will be flooded with fresh fish to help them fatten up for the winter. And we were also privy to a fascinating yearly migration that takes place in the waters near Tasmania. Wherein a massive number of spider crabs congregate to molt since they too are aware of the fact that the perfect time of year has arrived to make this happen.

But what was truly fascinating about this particular chapter, is that it once again took the time to remind the viewer just how interconnected mankind is with the natural world. Because there are genuine migrations that human beings take part in as well. Since so many of the Muslim faith, make their way to Mecca in summer to take part in the Hajj, an act that includes walking around the Kaaba seven times to purge one's self of all sin. And in the heart of Asia, there are nomads that follow the changing of the seasons to guide them to prosperity, and they have no problem setting up shop wherever the land is most plentiful for the animals that they depend upon for resources. If anything, it was quite fascinating to learn that in the 21st Century, living off the land and following the seasons is still something that mankind is still eager to take part in.

But it does just go to show, that regardless of how we live our lives now, we are still deeply connected to a world that nourished us through our societal infancy. To the point where we too feel the need to migrate in some manner and really, this serves as a fine reminder that we need to do whatever it takes to preserve our precious planet. For this episode also took the time to point out, that climate change is starting to disrupt some of the migrations around the world or stunt them altogether. Giving us grand incentive to make some changes now, so that future generations can still enjoy the always toasty summertime in a comfortable and relaxed manner and so that nature can go about its yearly business in a seamless and healthy one. Until next time.

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