Full transcript
0:0560 miles away
0:06in the heart of the desert sandgrass
0:09chicks are hatching
0:11it's safe for them to be here
0:18but being so distant from water is a
0:21gamble
0:25with only their mother to shield them
0:27from the sun if they get nothing to
0:29drink
0:30they will be dead within hours
0:35[Music]
0:40their only hope is their father
0:46every morning he makes the 120 mile
0:49round trip
0:50to get water for the family
0:52[Music]
0:56grouse from all over the desert visit
0:58this oasis
0:59arriving together in large flocks
1:03and that is important
1:06[Music]
1:08there's safety in numbers
1:25the male snatches a drink but he also
1:28needs to collect water for his chicks
1:32using specially adapted breast feathers
1:34he can soak up water like a sponge
1:38but it takes time and he is in danger
2:07sand grouse here are their main prey
2:15again and again the male sandgrass
2:19risk their lives in order to collect
2:21water for their chicks
2:36[Music]
2:43this is why sand grouse nest so far
2:46from war towels
3:02me
3:11at last he soaked up as much as he can
3:16carrying a photo of his body weight in
3:18water he can now set off
3:20on the long journey home
3:36[Music]
3:44[Music]
3:49he's back and just in time
3:53he can give the chicks their first ever
3:58drink
4:04but he will have to undertake this
4:05perilous journey
4:07every day for the next two months until
4:10his chicks
4:11can finally make the flight to the water
4:13hole for themselves