A PURLEIGH airfield is working to combine the beauty of nature with the history of industry.

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome used to host planes fresh out of battle against German Zeppelin airships but now is home to a different breed of visitor – owls.

The site, which is the last of its kind in the UK, is a haven to all five British species of owl.

Someone who knows the site better than most is photographer Russell Savory, who first became involved with the site when he purchased it in 2008/09.

Mr Savory featured in the two-part The Secret Life of Owls on Channel 5 at the airfield.

He possesses more than 300,000 wildlife images in his personal archive that he has built up from years of dedication.

On the show, he said: “To see it on television is amazing.

“An awful lot of time goes into it and it’s really nice to see the end product.

“It’s such an interesting journey, the ups and downs of wildlife come across.

“I don’t want to spoil anything but there is even more to come in the second part of the documentary.”

Mr Savory, whose work regularly features on BBC’s Springwatch, The One Show and Inside Out, said: “I’ve filmed wildlife for 12-15 years.

“I would start filming at 4.30am and be finishing at 9pm, while carrying out work running the aerodrome throughout the day.

“It’s important to catch first light. You need to be in a hide or a hedgerow waiting for the right moment.”

The documentary itself shows the owls living at the aerodrome, something that is perhaps unknown to many.

Mr Savory hopes the documentary will inspire people, particularly younger people, to visit the aerodrome and more importantly to discover the beauty of wildlife.

The site boasts a fascinating history rich with tales of the First World War but Mr Savory is pleased the documentary has shone a light on another side of the site which he said is well worth seeing for yourself.

The Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Trust is looking to add to the experience by developing new wildlife trails around the site.

It is hoped the trails will show off the wide variety of species which call the site their home.

Ian Flint, chief executive of the trust, said: “We are a conservation site. Ecological interests are very important to us.

“We are developing wildlife trails here to allow people of all ages to come down and see some of the beautiful wildlife around the site. But for now, we have hides on site where people can come and look at the wonderful birdlife that is at the aerodrome.”

The trust hopes the trails will be completed by the start of summer.

The programme is available on catch-up television.