BBC Springwatch Returns for its 20th Anniversary Year
The BBC’s flagship wildlife programme, Springwatch, is returning to BBC Two and iPlayer for its 20th anniversary year. The programme, produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit, will broadcast live from Monday 26 May to Thursday 12 June.
This year’s Springwatch will be broadcast from two new locations: the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate in the Peak District and Northern Ireland. Presenters Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan will be based at Longshaw Estate, while Iolo Williams will embark on a three-week nature trek across Northern Ireland.
### New Locations and Wildlife
The Longshaw Estate, located on the eastern edge of the Peak District, will provide a unique opportunity to showcase a range of species that have not been featured on Springwatch before. The estate’s upland habitats are home to Red Listed species such as the ring ouzel and whinchat, as well as the moorland curlew.
According to Craig Best, General Manager at the National Trust in the Peak District, “We are delighted to welcome the Springwatch team to Longshaw for the 20th anniversary of the series. The woodlands, grasslands, rivers and moorlands here support a huge variety of life and we work hard to care for these habitats to make sure birds, mammals and insects feel at home.”
Iolo Williams’ journey through Northern Ireland will take him to three different locations: Belfast, Rathlin Island, and Mount Stewart. In Belfast, he will explore the city’s urban wildlife, including terns and waders. On Rathlin Island, he will search for seabirds, Irish hares, and the rare corncrake. At Mount Stewart, he will discover a plethora of diverse wildlife, including native red squirrels and pine martens.
### Live Wildlife Cameras and Pre-filmed Stories
For 20 years, Springwatch has been capturing magical moments in the lives of UK wildlife using remote, hidden cameras. This year will be no exception, with cameras rigged across the Longshaw Estate and Northern Ireland.
The programme will also feature a number of pre-recorded films that document the season and the diverse species that inhabit the UK. These films will include stories on freediving, the natural history of crime, selfish snails, soaring swallows, and the celebration of the white-tailed eagle reintroduction project.
### Springwatch Street and Longshaw Visitors
In a Springwatch first, the programme will lift the lid on the secret lives of our natural neighbours by bugging the gardens of a street in Sheffield. The programme will also be joined by a host of young naturalists passionate about UK wildlife and fans of Springwatch since it began.
### The Springwatch Team
The Springwatch team includes a range of experts, including Lira Valencia, Jack Baddams, Hannah Stitfall, Megan McCubbin, and Sean Ronayne. Each of these experts will bring their unique perspective and knowledge to the programme.
### Interviews with the Presenters
We spoke to Michaela Strachan, Chris Packham, and Iolo Williams about their experiences on Springwatch and what viewers can expect from this year’s programme.
Michaela Strachan said, “This year, we’re at a new site, and that’s very exciting because we’ll be able to focus on bird nests that we haven’t been able to before. But it doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll get those nests, because Springwatch is unpredictable, and that’s what I really enjoy about the programme.”
Chris Packham added, “I think its appeal is that we are inclusive and not exclusive. All the things that we feature on Springwatch are in places the public can visit themselves so, if people want to come and see what we’ve seen, they can do so.”
Iolo Williams said, “I think its appeal and its importance role into one. For me, it’s the fact that for many years the only wildlife you saw on TV was lions on the Serengeti, jaguars in the Pantanal, sharks in the Great Barrier Reef. It was wildlife overseas, which most people were never going to get to see. On Springwatch we concentrate on British wildlife, and a lot of that is what you see in your back garden, in your local park, in the pond, what you’re seeing in your local wood.”
### Conclusion
Springwatch returns to BBC Two and iPlayer on Monday 26 May for its 20th anniversary year. With new locations, live wildlife cameras, and pre-filmed stories, this year’s programme promises to be an exciting and engaging celebration of UK wildlife.
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