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Wikipedia

Springwatch

Springwatch, Autumnwatch until 2022 and Winterwatch, sometimes known collectively as The Watches,[1][2] are annual BBC television series which chart the fortunes of British wildlife during the changing of the seasons in the United Kingdom. The programmes are broadcast live from locations around the country in a primetime evening slot on BBC Two. They require a crew of 100 and over 50 cameras, making them the BBC's largest British outside broadcast events. Many of the cameras are hidden and operated remotely to record natural behaviour, for example, of birds in their nests and badgers outside their sett.

Springwatch
Also known asAutumnwatch (2005–2022)
Winterwatch
Created byBBC Natural History Unit
Presented byBill Oddie
Simon King
Kate Humble
Chris Packham
Martin Hughes-Games
Michaela Strachan
Gillian Burke
Iolo Williams
Megan McCubbin
Theme music composerDavid Poore
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerRosemary Edwards
Running time60–90 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC Two
BBC Two HD
Release30 May 2005 (2005-05-30) –
present
Related

Each year, the series begins on the late-May Bank Holiday (the last Monday in May) and is broadcast four nights each week for three weeks. After the success of the first Springwatch in 2005, the BBC commissioned a one-off special, Autumnwatch, which became a full series from 2006 to 2022. Winterwatch began in 2012, broadcast in January or February.

Due to budget issues, the BBC decided to axe Autumnwatch as a programme in 2023. It will no longer air on the channel. The BBC said that they decided to cancel it so that they can also put more money into its twin programmes Springwatch and Winterwatch, as they generally get more viewers watching than Autumnwatch. Presenter Megan McCubbin announced afterwards that she was sad that they had axed the show.

The Springwatch brand has expanded to incorporate further TV spin-offs and specials, and also has a strong online presence. The BBC Springwatch website offers further video content and allows viewers and programme makers to interact through a message board, Flickr photography group, blogs and the @BBCSpringwatch and @BBCAutumnwatch Twitter accounts. The executive producer of the three programme strands is Rosemary Edwards (before 2018: Tim Scoones, series launch to 2008 and 2012: Fiona Pitcher) and the score was composed by David Poore. Programmes are made by the BBC Natural History Unit, but were originally commissioned by BBC Learning with the aim of getting viewers to actively participate in wildlife conservation.

Bill Oddie, Kate Humble and Simon King were the presenting team until 2008. Oddie departed as a regular host at the beginning of 2009 (though not by his own choice[3]), to be replaced by Chris Packham. Martin Hughes-Games, formerly a Springwatch producer, also joined the team in 2009.[4] In September 2010, King left the presenting team to pursue other projects.[5] Michaela Strachan filled in for Humble during Autumnwatch 2011, reuniting her with Packham, her former co-host on The Really Wild Show. When Humble left after Springwatch 2012,[6] Strachan became her permanent replacement. Strachan flies in from Cape Town South Africa to present the show. Gillian Burke became a regular presenter in 2017, and for Winterwatch 2019 the presenters were joined by Iolo Williams, who had previously been a field reporter.

Other regular contributors include cameraman and presenter Gordon Buchanan and sound recordist Chris Watson, who has occasionally appeared on-screen to describe his working methods.

Forerunners edit

Natural history programmes began as live outside broadcasts on BBC television in the early 1950s, when West Region's only television equipment was a mobile camera unit. The origins of Springwatch can be traced back to the 1970s, when the development of image-intensifying cameras enabled animals to be filmed in the dark. In May 1977, two remote-controlled cameras and a series of infrared lamps were installed outside a badger sett in the Cotswolds. The Natural History Unit broadcast the first live images of wild badgers during a week-long television event called Badgerwatch. Although each programme was only 10 minutes long, it created the template on which Springwatch and all the intervening series have been based, a format which has developed and expanded as technology has improved.

Badgerwatch was followed by Birdwatch, broadcast annually throughout the 1980s and presented by Tony Soper, initially from locations around Britain including Slimbridge, Minsmere, the River Exe, the Farne Islands and Martin Mere. Later series were filmed in Florida, the Netherlands and the Camargue.

In 1988 came Reefwatch, the first ever live underwater broadcast shown on British and American television. It was anchored by Soper, with divers Martha Holmes and Mike deGruy presenting during the Red Sea dive using bubble helmets (another TV first). The BBC broadcast further live series from Africa with Africawatch (1989) and Flamingowatch (1995).

Bill Oddie and Simon King joined forces for the first time to present A Bird in the Nest in 1994, featuring 5 live instalments from nestbox cameras. King also co-presented Beachwatch, a day of live broadcasts from a stretch of Norfolk coastline, which aimed to show how wildlife responded to the changing tide.

The live format was rested until 2003, when it was resurrected with Oddie, King and Kate Humble for Wild In Your Garden. The following year, the show evolved into Britain Goes Wild with Bill Oddie, and was identical to the later Springwatch and Autumnwatch series in all but name.

Surveys and campaigns edit

From 2005 until 2007, the BBC ran a Springwatch survey in conjunction with the Woodland Trust. Viewers were encouraged to record key events indicating the passage of spring, including the first sign of frogspawn, blossom on hawthorn trees and the arrival of swifts. By comparing the results with previous years, the surveys established that spring was arriving sooner than average. The BBC are no longer involved in the annual survey (now called Nature's Calendar) but the results are still reported on the programme. It remains the largest survey of phenology in the world.

A similar survey exists for Autumnwatch, with the timing of the first oak leaf tint, the ripening of blackberries and the dropping of conkers all being recorded.

The BBC-led Breathing Places campaign was launched during Springwatch 2006. Awards are made to small projects across the country which aim to create small areas of wildlife-friendly habitat, particularly in cities. In the first three phases of the campaign, over £8.5 million of National Lottery funding has been awarded. Local councils and Wildlife Trusts are also involved in the partnership. Breathing Places evolved from an earlier BBC campaign called Make Space for Nature, launched in 2004 to coincide with Britain Goes Wild with Bill Oddie.

Series overview edit

Springwatch edit

SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedAverage UK viewers
(millions)
First airedLast aired
11230 May 2005 (2005-05-30)16 June 2005 (2005-06-16)3.41
21229 May 2006 (2006-05-29)15 June 2006 (2006-06-15)3.32
31528 May 2007 (2007-05-28)14 June 2007 (2007-06-14)3.59
41226 May 2008 (2008-05-26)12 June 2008 (2008-06-12)3.39
51225 May 2009 (2009-05-25)11 June 2009 (2009-06-11)3.19
61231 May 2010 (2010-05-31)17 June 2010 (2010-06-17)2.55
Special25 April 2011 (2011-04-25)2.35
71230 May 2011 (2011-05-30)16 June 2011 (2011-06-16)2.42
81228 May 2012 (2012-05-28)14 June 2012 (2012-06-14)1.92
91227 May 2013 (2013-05-27)13 June 2013 (2013-06-13)2.55
101226 May 2014 (2014-05-26)12 June 2014 (2014-06-12)2.31
Special3 April 2015 (2015-04-03)2.39
111225 May 2015 (2015-05-25)11 June 2015 (2015-06-11)2.23
121230 May 2016 (2016-05-30)12 June 2016 (2016-06-12)2.29
131229 May 2017 (2017-05-29)15 June 2017 (2017-06-15)2.30
141228 May 2018 (2018-05-28)14 June 2018 (2018-06-14)1.85
151227 May 2019 (2019-05-27)13 June 2019 (2019-06-13)1.86
161226 May 2020 (2020-05-26)12 June 2020 (2020-06-12)2.63
171225 May 2021 (2021-05-25)11 June 2021 (2021-06-11)TBA
181231 May 2022 (2022-05-31)17 June 2022 (2022-06-17)TBA
191230 May 2023 (2023-05-30)15 June 2023 (2023-06-15)TBA

Series 1 (2005) edit

The first series of Springwatch debuted on BBC Two on 30 May 2005, and finished on 16 June. Bill Oddie and Kate Humble were based at Fishleigh Estate, an organic farm in north-west Devon (the same location had been used for the previous year's Britain Goes Wild with Bill Oddie). Animals filmed included swallows nesting in the barn, blue tit families in nestboxes and great spotted woodpeckers visiting bird feeders. Simon King visited three locations across the country; firstly, the Isle of Mull to watch white-tailed eagles on a nest; secondly, the London Wetland Centre to observe peregrine falcons and red foxes; and finally, the Farne Islands to view the seabird colonies and grey seals. Over 150,000 sightings were reported in the Springwatch survey.

Series 2 (2006) edit

The second series of Springwatch was broadcast from 29 May to 15 June 2006. Bill Oddie and Kate Humble again presented from the Fishleigh Estate farm, where more than 50 secret cameras were rigged up to film the day-to-day dramas of nesting birds including pied flycatchers, barn owls and dabchicks. The badgers only made a single live appearance in the whole three weeks. Pre-recorded films featured moles, capercaillies and earwigs. In the Shetland Islands, Simon King followed a family of otters and a host of birds: puffins, great skuas, oystercatchers, merlins and red-throated divers. Springwatch also tracked brent geese on their spring migration from Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland to their breeding grounds in Canada's Queen Elizabeth Islands, via stopovers in Iceland and Greenland.

Live webcams around the country enabled viewers to follow animal stories on the Springwatch website. These included ospreys at Loch Garten in Scotland, red kites at Rockingham Forest in the East Midlands and pipistrelle bats in Cornwall. A spin-off programme titled CBeebies Springwatch aired on the CBeebies channel and Springwatch editions of The Really Wild Show aired on the CBBC channel. The presenters were Justin Fletcher, Nick Baker and Michaela Strachan.

Series 3 (2007) edit

For the third series of Springwatch, broadcast from 28 May to 14 June 2007 on BBC Two, Bill Oddie and Kate Humble were again based at the Devon farm. Birds filmed live on their nests included swallows, buzzards, jays, barn owls and jackdaws. Oddie had close encounters with an otter and a kingfisher on the River Torridge, which runs through the farm. Simon King travelled to the Hebridean island of Islay, where he filmed local specialities such as red-billed choughs, corncrakes, hen harriers, golden eagles and common shelducks. The series also featured barn owl chicks at Cornwall's Lost Gardens of Heligan, and cameras captured the moment when one chick killed and ate its younger sibling. Gordon Buchanan filmed urban red foxes in Glasgow for a pre-recorded nightly diary segment.

The 2007 series spawned more spin-offs on other BBC television channels, radio stations and the internet. Springwatch Nightshift broadcast two hours of live footage of badgers, owls and bats on BBC Two each night, and a half-hour weekly review programme aired on Friday evenings on BBC One. CBeebies Springwatch returned to CBeebies for 2007 alongside Springwatch Trackers, which aired on CBBC, presented live from the farm each morning by Steve Backshall and Kirsten O'Brien.[7]

A live outside broadcast from the Springwatch farm featured on Terry Wogan's BBC Radio 2 breakfast show on 13 June, and on BBC Radio 4, a special edition of Nature on 11 June answered listeners' questions about spring.[8]

Series 4 (2008) edit

For the fourth series of Springwatch, the production team moved to a new location at the Pensthorpe Natural Park in Norfolk due to a change of ownership at the Fishleigh Estate farm. It was broadcast on BBC Two from 26 May to 12 June. Bill Oddie and Kate Humble watched local birds on the nest, including little ringed plovers, goldcrests and reed buntings, all new species for Springwatch. Swallows, blue tits, great tits, greenfinches, pied wagtails and robins were amongst the returning species. Simon King was based in the Cairngorm National Park, where he brought viewers footage of ospreys with chicks, pine martens, Scottish wildcats, ptarmigan and crested tits. The 2007 edition of CBeebies Springwatch was repeated that year and would be the final year the series would air, being scrapped in favour of Green Balloon Club.

The week after the main series ended, four Springwatch Specials were screened. Humble presented a programme on marine life, Oddie looked at garden wildlife, King focussed on spectacular British wildlife events and Gordon Buchanan met people who have interesting relationships with wildlife.

Series 5 (2009) edit

 
The Springwatch 2009 webcam console

Springwatch returned for its fifth series, broadcast from 25 May to 11 June 2009. Bill Oddie, who had left the programme for personal health reasons, was replaced as the series' co-anchor by Chris Packham. He joined Kate Humble for the show's second year based at Pensthorpe. Simon King toured locations across north and mid-Wales, viewing Anglesey's seabird colonies, goshawks and red kites. His main challenge was to find and film a wild polecat. Wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan was based at a badger sett in Essex. Former producer Martin Hughes-Games also joined the team to present a regular feature on conservation holidays, as well as co-hosting the spin-off Springwatch Unsprung programmes. The Springwatch website continued to host regularly updated blogs, message boards and webcams, as well as wildlife information. Over the course of the series, Packham privately set himself the challenge of inserting the titles of songs by The Smiths into the script for each episode.[9][10]

Three new Springwatch Specials aired after the main series had finished; King revealed some of the "tricks of the trade" of a wildlife cameraman in "Close Encounters"; Hughes-Games revealed Britain's best wildlife locations in "Holidays"; and Buchanan presented a compilation of viewers' videos in "Home Movies".

Series 6 (2010) edit

The BBC commissioned a special Snow Watch programme to show how wildlife was affected by the coldest winter weather for 35 years. The programme was created in just five days, and was broadcast on 13 January 2010[11] in place of a scheduled edition of Natural World. The Points West studio was used for the indoor portion of the show and the normal theme music was replaced for the end credits with the song "Walk Out to Winter" by Aztec Camera.

The sixth, three-week, 2010 edition of Springwatch began airing on BBC Two beginning on 31 May.[12] It was preceded by three special editions, the first of which, Chris Packham's Signs of Change, about climate change, aired on 17 May. Others were shown on 19 and 20 May. The BBC supported the series with a Twitter account, @bbc_springwatch, using the hashtag #springwatch.[13] Packham used a reference to The Cure in each episode.[14] Brett Westwood was among the participants in the series' bird race, and Bill Oddie made a guest appearance in the penultimate episode of the series.

The series was followed on 20 June by a two-hour, live charity appeal tie-in, Wild Night In. Broadcast from London Zoo, it was fronted by Humble, Packham and Hughes-Games, with pre-recorded segments, some featuring David Attenborough.[15] A 90-minute "Springwatch Christmas Special" was broadcast on 29 December. Based at Chris Packham's house in the New Forest, the show included highlights from the 2010 series and specials, plus a number of new reports on topics that had hit the headlines during the year.

Series 7 (2011) edit

A Springwatch Easter Special was aired on 25 April 2011 and featured the return of Bill Oddie as a guest presenter.

The full series, presented by Kate Humble, Chris Packham and Martin Hughes-Games, started on Monday 30 May 2011 at 8pm on BBC 2 from a new venue, RSPB Ynys-hir in mid-Wales. During the first week Charlie Hamilton James presented daily updates on the reintroduction of beavers to the United Kingdom. At the end of week one Charlie was set the task of filming beavers live; he succeeded. During week two, Iolo Williams broadcast from Skomer Island. He was filming puffins and during the week introduced a new webcam. The presenter for week three was Liz Bonnin, at Pitsea Landfill site, filming foxes. She was set the task of filming live foxes, and succeeded. The series closed with a montage of clips of the cast "singing" the Tom Jones song It's Not Unusual, whose lyrics had been surreptitiously inserted into the script over the three-week run.

A Christmas Special was broadcast on Boxing Day, 26 December, recorded at Ynys-Hir and presented by Strachan, Packham, Hughes-Games and Humble, and featuring guest appearances by Chris Watson and others as well as a newly filmed sequence from Bill Oddie.[16]

Series 8 (2012) edit

Springwatch returned to BBC Two and BBC HD on 28 May 2012, live and direct from Ynys-hir RSPB reserve in Wales for three weeks, Monday to Thursday. Chris Packham and Martin Hughes-Games will present the show, with Kate Humble being replaced by Autumnwatch Live presenter Michaela Strachan.[17] A summer special was announced on the final episode of Springwatch 2012, and Springwatch Guide to Sea Birds was broadcast on 23 August 2012.

Chris Packham secretly introduced the titles of 49 songs and albums by David Bowie into his presentations.[18]

Series 9 (2013) edit

The 2013 series of Springwatch returned on 27 May, and once again was broadcast live for three weeks from RSPB Ynys Hir. Chris Packham, Martin Hughes-Games and Michaela Strachan, returned to present, with Iolo Williams as a roving reporter. A new show called Springwatch in the Afternoon was broadcast across the first two weeks, hosted by Nick Baker, which was broadcast live on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.[19]

Chris Packham sneaked in references to song titles by The Clash in his presentations.[20]

Series 10 (2014) edit

 
The Springwatch presenters, Chris Packham (left), Michaela Strachan (centre) and Martin Hughes-Games (right), at the 2014 Springwatch media launch, RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk, England

In 2014 Springwatch celebrated its tenth anniversary by moving to a new base at RSPB Minsmere in North Suffolk. The series was broadcast on BBC Two, online and the Red Button for three weeks from 26 May to 12 June 2014. Springwatch Unsprung, hosted by Baker, was shown after the main programme, online and on the BBC Red Button from Mondays to Wednesdays and on BBC Two on Thursdays.[21] Iolo Williams returned as the regular roving reporter, broadcasting live from the west coast of Scotland. Special features included cameraman Doug Allan's underwater footage of grey seals on Lundy, a report on how the wildlife of the Somerset Levels was affected by the winter floods and updates on the latest research into urban foxes and cuckoo migration.[22]

Series 11 (2015) edit

A special one-off Springwatch at Easter aired on 3 April 2015.[23] The series returned to RSPB Minsmere on 25 May 2015, with 12 episodes over the next three weeks.[24]

Series 12 (2016) edit

 
The Springwatch studio building at RSPB Minsmere

Springwatch aired in 2016 between 30 May and 16 June live from RSPB Minsmere.

Series 13 (2017) edit

A special one-off Springwatch in Japan: Cherry Blossom Time aired on 21 April 2017 and was presented by regular hosts Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan and guest presenter James Wong.

The farmland of Sherborne Park, Gloucestershire became the new host site for the main Springwatch series.[25][26] The programme gained a new host, Gillian Burke.[27]

Series 14 (2018) edit

Springwatch, again from Sherborne Park, ran for three weeks, starting on Monday 28 May with a 90-minute extended edition. Martin Hughes-Games was not involved, being replaced by a number of guest presenters, the first of whom was Steve Backshall.[28] Iolo Williams appeared in week two, with Lucy Cooke and Patrick Aryee scheduled for the final week.[29]

Series 15 (2019) edit

Springwatch was broadcast from a new site near Nethy Bridge on the edge of the Abernethy Forest in the Cairngorms National Park.[30] Packham, Strachan and Burke continued as presenters and were joined by Iolo Williams.[31]

Series 16 (2020) edit

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 series, starting on 25 May, did not come from a central base. Instead each presenter appeared from a location near their home, respecting government guidelines on social distancing. Packham – joined occasionally by his step-daughter Megan McCubbin, a zoologist – was in the New Forest, Williams in Montgomeryshire, and Burke in Cornwall. Although she sent a video message from her home in South Africa, Strachan was unable to return to the UK to participate. Steve Backshall was guest presenter during the first week, from his home on the Thames, with Gordon Buchanan, presenting from Loch Lomond National Park in week two,[32] and Ellie Harrison in the Golden Valley, near Stroud, in week three.[33][34]

Some films from previous years were re-screened. Additional material was made available on the BBC's iPlayer service.[35][36]

The first Thursday episode started – at 8pm – with the presenters joining the national "Clap for Our Carers", except for Burke, due to her proximity to wild beavers.[37]

Series 17 (2021) edit

Packham and Strachan broadcast from the Wild Ken Hill sustainable agriculture in Norfolk,[38] while Iolo Williams was based at Alladale Wilderness Reserve, Scotland.[39][40] Gillian Burke was at WWT Castle Espie, Northern Ireland.[41]

Series 18 (2022) edit

Packham and Strachan again broadcast from Wild Ken Hill sustainable agriculture in Norfolk; McCubbin did a roadtrip through northern England, visiting Kielder Forest, Hauxley Nature Reserve and Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Williams was again on the Isle of Mull; Gillian Burke did not appear, having also missed Winterwatch 2022.[42][43][44]

Series 19 (2023) edit

In Series 19, Packham and Strachan presented from RSPB Arne in Dorset, Gillian Burke from North Wales and Megan McCubbin from Devon and Arne;[45] McCubbin was originally not scheduled to appear as a host but replaced Iolo Williams, who missed the series due to ill health.[46] The show received complaints after airing a scene showing a gamekeeper beating a buzzard to death with a stick.[47]

Autumnwatch edit

SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedAverage UK viewers
(millions)
First airedLast aired
Special8 November 2005 (2005-11-08)2.60
182 October 2006 (2006-10-02)12 October 2006 (2006-10-12)3.76
285 November 2007 (2007-11-05)14 November 2007 (2007-11-14)3.52
3827 October 2008 (2008-10-27)6 November 2008 (2008-11-06)3.19
482 October 2009 (2009-10-02)20 November 2009 (2009-11-20)2.31
587 October 2010 (2010-10-07)25 November 2010 (2010-11-25)2.18
647 October 2011 (2011-10-07)28 November 2011 (2011-11-28)2.12
7430 October 2012 (2012-10-30)2 November 2012 (2012-11-02)2.30
8429 October 2013 (2013-10-29)1 November 2013 (2013-11-01)2.48
9428 October 2014 (2014-10-28)31 October 2014 (2014-10-31)2.43
1042 November 2015 (2015-11-02)5 November 2015 (2015-11-05)2.26
11424 October 2016 (2016-10-24)27 October 2016 (2016-10-27)2.73
12423 October 2017 (2017-10-23)26 October 2017 (2017-10-26)2.54
13415 October 2018 (2018-10-15)18 October 2018 (2018-10-18)1.97
14429 October 2019 (2019-10-29)1 November 2019 (2019-11-01)1.83
15827 October 2020 (2020-10-27)6 November 2020 (2020-11-06)TBA
16426 October 2021 (2021-10-26)29 October 2021 (2021-10-29)TBA
17425 October 2022 (2022-10-25)28 October 2022 (2022-10-28)TBA

Special (2005) edit

The success of the first series of Springwatch led to the BBC and the Woodland Trust collaborating once again to launch an appeal for sightings of the approach of autumn. The results of the first Autumnwatch survey were presented by Bill Oddie in a one-off programme in November 2005 entitled Wild Autumn with Bill Oddie.

Series 1 (2006) edit

For 2006, Autumnwatch was extended to a two-week series, broadcast from 2–12 October. Oddie and Kate Humble were based at Martin Mere wetland reserve in Lancashire, where they awaited the arrival of local wild swans and the return of the brent geese to Northern Island. King watched the red deer rut on the island of Rùm. In addition, cameraman Gordon Buchanan filmed a nightly grey seal diary from the Monarch Islands. British viewers could submit their sightings of natural autumn events on the Autumnwatch website, and the findings were developed into an online map showing the progression of autumn events across the country. This showed a correlation with temperature. Much like with Springwatch, a spin-off show for CBeebies aired, titled CBeebies Autumnwatch.

Series 2 (2007) edit

Autumnwatch was broadcast later in the year than the previous series, from 5 to 14 November. Oddie and Humble were based at Martin Mere as for the previous year, but this time King toured some of Britain's best places for viewing wildlife. There were daily pre-recorded sequences from the deer rut in Rùm which had taken place earlier in the season. Instead of airing a new series, the 2006 CBeebies Autumnwatch season was repeated, which caused some parents to complain to the BBC.[citation needed]

Series 3 (2008) edit

For Autumnwatch 2008, broadcast from 27 October – 6 November,[48] Oddie and Humble were based at Brownsea Island, one of the few places in southern England where red squirrels can still be seen. King visited a variety of locations around the country, beginning with three days watching fallow deer at Petworth Park and muntjac at Birmingham Airport. He then followed up sightings of otters in a Walsall canal, but although his team found traces of the animals, they didn't manage to film them. During the second week he watched ravens on Anglesey and made two live dives off the south coast of England, managing to find and film a conger eel. Gordon Buchanan travelled to the Farne Islands to film the grey seal colony during the pupping season. Attempts to communicate with Oddie and Humble via a live satellite link, were thwarted on several occasions by bad weather conditions.

Additional content was made available on the Autumnwatch website, including live webcams, extra videos and a blog.[49]

Series 4 (2009) edit

In a change from the usual format, the 2009 series of Autumnwatch was broadcast once a week every Friday for eight weeks. Executive producer Tim Scoones attributed the change to the popularity of the series' multiplatform formats, such as its Flickr group.[50] The series ran from 2 October to 20 November 2009. Packham and Humble were based at the BBC Natural History Unit headquarters in Bristol, but owing to the late hour of broadcast, all wildlife footage was prerecorded.

Series 5 (2010) edit

The 2010 Autumnwatch series was broadcast every Thursday from 7 October for 8 weeks. It was once again based at from the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol. Simon King did not participate, and was replaced by a variety of reporters who took his slot each week.

Series 6 (2011) edit

Autumnwatch returned with a new name, Autumnwatch Live on 7 October 2011. For the first four weeks it was presented from the National Arboretum at Westonbirt, and for the final four weeks, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust's Slimbridge reserve, by Michaela Strachan, Chris Packham and Martin Hughes-Games. Each week there was a guest presenter who focused on one particular aspect of the British countryside. These included Bill Oddie. Kate Humble did not participate due to other projects.

Series 7 (2012) edit

The 2012 series of Autumnwatch started on 30 October 2012 and ran for 4 consecutive days.[51] It was being broadcast live from the Aigas Field Centre in the Scottish Highlands.[51] Iolo Williams reported on golden eagles from the Outer Hebrides.[52] John Lister-Kaye, owner of the field centre, also appeared.[52] The final episode was followed by a half-hour Unsprung programme.

Series 8 (2013) edit

Autumnwatch returned on 29 October for four nights from a new location at RSPB Leighton Moss in Lancashire, with Unsprung following the final episode. A new live show Autumnwatch Extra aired on the red button and online each day.[53][54]

Series 9 (2014) edit

Autumnwatch 2014 returned to Leighton Moss, Lancashire, with companion Extra and Unsprung strands and webcams.

Series 10 (2015) edit

Autumnwatch aired between 2 and 5 November 2015.[55]

Series 11 (2016) edit

Autumnwatch moved to RSPB Arne in Dorset.

Series 12 (2017) edit

The farmland of Sherborne Park, Gloucestershire became the host site for Autumnwatch.[25][26] The programme gained a new field reporter, Gillian Burke.[27]

Series 13 (2018) edit

Autumnwatch moved outside the UK for the first time, being broadcast from a site on the shores of Squam Lake in New Hampshire, United States, on four consecutive evenings from Monday 15 October.[56] Packham and Strachan were joined by Gillian Burke.[56]

Series 14 (2019) edit

Autumnwatch was broadcast from a new site near Nethy Bridge on the edge of the Abernethy Forest in the Cairngorms National Park.[30] Packham, Strachan and Burke continued as presenters and were joined by Iolo Williams.[31]

Series 15 (2020) edit

Autumnwatch was broadcast from four locations: Iolo Williams at the Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth; Michaela Strachan at Tenstmuir, Fife; Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin in the New Forest; and Gillian Burke at RSPB Dearne Valley Old Moor, South Yorkshire.[57][58]

Series 16 (2021) edit

Packham and Strachan broadcast from the Wild Ken Hill sustainable agriculture in Norfolk,[59] Megan McCubbin was on the Isle of Mull,[60] while Gillian Burke was at WWT Castle Espie, Northern Ireland.[61] The series was four episodes, and Iolo Williams did not appear; the programme was moved to accommodate FA Cup broadcasts, and Williams was scheduled to lead walks of the Isle of Mull on the days it was broadcasting; he appeared in one prerecorded segment.[62][63]

Series 17 (2022) edit

Packham and Strachan broadcast from the Wild Ken Hill in Norfolk, while Iolo Williams and Gillian Burke were at the Teifi Marshes and Cardigan Bay. Featured creatures included Nigma walckenaeri, edible dormouse and orca.[64] This was the last ever series of Autumnwatch, before being axed.

Winterwatch edit

SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedAverage UK viewers
(millions)
First airedLast aired
Special22 February 2012 (2012-02-22)2.21
1414 January 2013 (2013-01-14)17 January 2013 (2013-01-17)2.66
Special19 January 2013 (2013-01-19)3.16
2420 January 2014 (2014-01-20)23 January 2014 (2014-01-23)2.56
3419 January 2015 (2015-01-19)22 January 2015 (2015-01-22)2.37
4426 January 2016 (2016-01-26)29 January 2016 (2016-01-29)2.66
5423 January 2017 (2017-01-23)26 January 2017 (2017-01-26)2.59
6429 January 2018 (2018-01-29)1 February 2018 (2018-02-01)2.22
7429 January 2019 (2019-01-29)1 February 2019 (2019-02-01)2.45
8428 January 2020 (2020-01-28)31 January 2020 (2020-01-31)1.71
9819 January 2021 (2021-01-19)29 January 2021 (2021-01-29)TBA
10818 January 2022 (2022-01-18)28 January 2022 (2022-01-28)TBA
11817 January 2023 (2023-01-17)27 January 2023 (2023-01-27)TBA
124January 2024 (2024-01)January 2024 (2024-01)TBA

Special (2012) edit

A one-off, hour-long Winterwatch was broadcast by the BBC on 22 February 2012, presented from the Brecon Beacons by Kate Humble, Chris Packham, and Martin Hughes-Games, with filmed segments by Charlie Hamilton James, Maya Plass, Gordon Buchanan, Michaela Strachan and Chris Watson.[65]

Series 1 (2013) edit

A four-day Winterwatch aired between 14 and 17 January 2013, again from Aigas, with an Unsprung programme following the final episode.[66] Following that, there was a Winterwatch special, Winterwatch 1963 – The Big Freeze, that was broadcast on 19 January.

Series 2 (2014) edit

Winterwatch returned to BBC Two between 20 and 23 January 2014, broadcast live from the Mar Lodge Estate in Aberdeenshire, with Unsprung following the final episode hosted by Nick Baker. There was a special Winterwatch Extra: Garden Birds Special on the BBC Red Button and online from 24 to 26 January 2014 hosted by Euan McIlwraith and Richard Taylor-Jones, from various locations around Great Britain.[67]

Series 3 (2015) edit

Winterwatch returned to BBC Two between 19 and 22 January 2015, again broadcast live from the Mar Lodge Estate in Aberdeenshire.[68]

Series 4 (2016) edit

The programme was broadcast live from the Mar Lodge Estate between 26 and 29 January 2016.

Series 5 (2017) edit

Winterwatch moved to RSPB Arne in Dorset and was broadcast for four evenings from 23 January.

Series 6 (2018) edit

Winterwatch was broadcast from Sherborne Park, over four evenings, starting on Monday 29 January, with contributions from Gillian Burke on the island of Islay in the Inner Hebrides.[69]

Series 7 (2019) edit

Winterwatch was broadcast over four evenings, starting on 29 January, from a new site near Nethy Bridge on the edge of the Abernethy Forest in the Cairngorms National Park.[30] Packham, Strachan and Burke continued as presenters and were joined by Iolo Williams.[31]

Series 8 (2020) edit

Winterwatch was broadcast over four evenings, starting on Tuesday 28 January, from the same site as the previous series.

Series 9 (2021) edit

Winterwatch began again on 19 January and was broadcast from the presenters' home areas: Iolo Williams at the Centre for Alternative Technology; Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin in the New Forest; and Gillian Burke at the Cornish beaver reintroduction project. It was shown Tuesday to Friday for two weeks. Michaela Strachan was still in lockdown in South Africa and was not presenting, but made a guest appearance on a pre-recorded video chat with Chris Packham.[70][71][72][73] Sea swimmer Katie Maggs also appeared.[74]

Series 10 (2022) edit

The same three locations were used as in Autumnwatch 2021: Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan at Wild Ken Hill; Megan McCubbin at WWT Castle Espie, County Down; and Iolo Williams on the Isle of Mull.[75] Gillian Burke does not appear live due to personal commitments, but supplies some material recorded in the Cotswolds and South West England.[76] The poet Robert Macfarlane also features.[77]

Series 11 (2023) edit

Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan were at Wild Ken Hill; Iolo Williams and Gillian Burke at various sites in Edinburgh.[78][79]

Series 12 (2024) edit

For 2024, Winterwatch will be reduced to a single week due to the axing of Autumnwatch.[80][81]

Presenters edit

Springwatch and Autumnwatch edit

Current presenters
Former presenters
Field reporter

Following Simon King's departure in 2010, the role of field reporter was filled by various guest presenters; notably Gordon Buchanan, Charlie Hamilton James, Iolo Williams, Liz Bonnin and Michaela Strachan. He was eventually replaced by Gillian Burke seven years later.

Megan Mcubbin has become a regular presenter on the programmes, after co-presenting alongside her step dad in 2020. She has since covered for Gillian Burke, who couldn't attend for Springwatch or Winterwatch during 2022 due to timing constraints. She also covered for Iolo Williams in Springwatch 2023, as he couldn't present due to health issues.

Winterwatch and other editions edit

Britain Goes Wild presenters
Snow Watch presenters
Winterwatch presenters
Springwatch at Easter
  • Chris Packham, 2015
  • Michaela Strachan, 2015
  • Martin Hughes-Games, 2015
  • Simon King, 2015
Springwatch in Japan:

Cherry Blossom Time

  • Chris Packham, 2017
  • Michaela Strachan, 2017
  • James Wong, 2017

Other presenters involved in the programmes include Roy Dennis, Johnny Kingdom, Leah Gooding, Richard Taylor-Jones, Chris Watson, Doug Allan, Andrew Agnew/PC Plum, Sidney Sloane, Nick Baker (presenter of Springwatch in the Afternoon in 2013 and Springwatch Unsprung in 2014), Euan McIlwraith and Brett Westwood (co-presenters of Springwatch Extra in 2014).

In the 2018 edition of Springwatch, several guest presenters rotated the role alongside Packham and Strachan, including Steve Backshall, Iolo Williams, Lucy Cooke and Patrick Aryee.

For Winterwatch and Autumnwatch 2019 all four presenters were in the same location, with no field reporter. For Springwatch 2019 Gillian Burke was a field reporter for episodes 1 to 11, returning to the main studio for the last show (episode 12).

Locations edit

class=notpageimage|
Map of Great Britain and Ireland indicating main locations of "Watch" series.
Year Series Base location
2004 Britain Goes Wild Fishleigh Estate
2005 Springwatch
Autumnwatch
2006 Springwatch
Autumnwatch Martin Mere
2007 Springwatch Fishleigh Estate
Autumnwatch Martin Mere
2008 Springwatch Pensthorpe Nature Reserve
Autumnwatch Brownsea Island
2009 Springwatch Pensthorpe Nature Reserve
Autumnwatch BBC Natural History Unit
2010 Snow Watch
Springwatch Pensthorpe Nature Reserve
Autumnwatch BBC Natural History Unit
2011 Springwatch RSPB Ynys-hir
Autumnwatch Westonbirt Arboretum
WWT Slimbridge
2012 Winterwatch Brecon Beacons National Park
Springwatch RSPB Ynys-hir
Autumnwatch Aigas Field Centre
2013 Winterwatch
Springwatch RSPB Ynys-hir
Autumnwatch RSPB Leighton Moss
2014 Winterwatch Mar Lodge Estate
Springwatch RSPB Minsmere
Autumnwatch RSPB Leighton Moss
2015 Winterwatch Mar Lodge Estate
Springwatch at Easter RSPB Minsmere
Springwatch
Autumnwatch WWT Caerlaverock
2016 Winterwatch Mar Lodge Estate
Springwatch RSPB Minsmere
Autumnwatch RSPB Arne
2017 Winterwatch
Springwatch Sherborne Park
Autumnwatch
2018 Winterwatch
Springwatch
Autumnwatch Squam Lake, New England
2019 Winterwatch Abernethy Forest
Springwatch
Autumnwatch
2020 Winterwatch
Springwatch Presenters' home areas (due to COVID-19)
Autumnwatch
2021 Winterwatch
Springwatch Wild Ken Hill
Alladale Wilderness Reserve
WWT Castle Espie
Autumnwatch Wild Ken Hill
WWT Castle Espie
Isle of Mull
2022 Winterwatch
Springwatch Wild Ken Hill
Isle of Mull
Northumberland
Autumnwatch Wild Ken Hill
Teifi Marshes and Cardigan Bay
2023 Winterwatch Wild Ken Hill
Edinburgh
Springwatch RSPB Arne
North Wales

Unsprung edit

Beginning with the fifth series Springwatch in 2009, the Springwatch and Autumnwatch series have been accompanied by a live Unsprung programme, a half-hour show that airs once a week and answers viewers' wildlife questions, along with audience surveys and "pub quizzes" filmed in the main studio.[82]

Book edit

Springwatch and Autumnwatch was published by Collins in April 2007, and features content from all the regular presenters to that date.[83]

Music edit

The theme music was commissioned by the BBC from independent composer David Poore, and was nominated for a Royal Television Society award in 2007.

Environment edit

In January 2021, Winterwatch began using hydrogen fuel cell technology to power their outside broadcast truck instead of diesel. They also incorporated batteries into the power supply for their three live presenter locations to reduce their fuel consumption.[84]

Awards and nominations edit

See also edit

References edit

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  2. ^ "Series Producer, The Watches | Jobs and careers with BBC". careerssearch.bbc.co.uk.
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  5. ^ "Simon King and Autumnwatch". talkwildlife.com. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  6. ^ Furness, Hannah (8 March 2012). "Kate Humble to leave Springwatch". The Daily Telegraph. London.
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  8. ^ "Spring Questions". BBC Radio. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  9. ^ "Well I Warbler! Packham reveals Smiths song-title lark in Springwatch". The Guardian. London. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
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  62. ^ Bevan, Nathan (19 October 2021). "Why Iolo Williams won't be live hosting this year's Autumnwatch". WalesOnline.
  63. ^ Nichols, Robbie (16 October 2021). "BBC Autumnwatch returns to Norfolk for another season". Eastern Daily Press.
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  67. ^ [1] 7 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  68. ^ BBC Springwatch [@BBCSpringwatch] (9 January 2015). "10 days to go! #Winterwatch 19 – 22 January BBC2 Hoping for red squirrels, pic by 2slo7" (Tweet) – via Twitter./photo/1
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  70. ^ "The Bay; Winterwatch; Silenced: Hidden Story of Disabled Britain; President Biden, inauguration; previews". HeraldScotland.
  71. ^ "Iolo to host wildlife show from CAT once again". Aberystwyth.
  72. ^ Buglass, Lucy (15 January 2021). "Winterwatch 2021: Everything you need to know about the new series". What's on TV.
  73. ^ Miller, Rebecca (31 December 2020). "Michaela Strachan won't host Winterwatch 2021 with Chris Packham 'Deeply saddened'". Express.co.uk.
  74. ^ Marshall, Michelle (12 January 2021). "Winterwatch 2021 star Katie Maggs speaks out on breakdown 'My body jumped by itself'". Express.co.uk.
  75. ^ Harrison, Maxine (18 January 2022). "Winterwatch returns to BBC Two this week". Manchester Evening News.
  76. ^ Nisbet, Megan (18 January 2022). "BBC Winterwatch 2022 presenters: Where is Gillian Burke?". WalesOnline.
  77. ^ "Winterwatch 2022: presenters with Gillian Burke and Chris Packham, BBC Two start time". www.nationalworld.com. 18 January 2022.
  78. ^ "Winterwatch 2023 - Meet the presenters and find out more about this season's live cameras and pre-filmed stories". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  79. ^ Grace Morris (17 January 2023). "Winterwatch 2023: air date, presenters, locations and everything we know". whattowatch.com.
  80. ^ "Where is Springwatch visiting and what time is it on TV?". Countryfile.com.
  81. ^ "Springwatch presenter pulls out ahead of launch for health reasons". Radio Times.
  82. ^ "BBC Two – Autumnwatch Unsprung, 2012, Episode 1". Bbc.co.uk. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  83. ^ Oddie, Bill; Kate Humble; Simon King; Stephen Moss (2007). Springwatch and Autumnwatch. London: Collins. pp. 256 p. : col. ill., col. ports., 26 cm. ISBN 978-0-00-724706-6.
  84. ^ "Live TV has never been so green!". BBC Two Winterwatch. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
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External links edit

  • Springwatch at BBC Online  
  • Autumnwatch website
  • Winterwatch website
  • Feature article in The Guardian, June 2005
  • Springwatch at IMDb

springwatch, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, november, 2011. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Springwatch news newspapers books scholar JSTOR November 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message Springwatch Autumnwatch until 2022 and Winterwatch sometimes known collectively as The Watches 1 2 are annual BBC television series which chart the fortunes of British wildlife during the changing of the seasons in the United Kingdom The programmes are broadcast live from locations around the country in a primetime evening slot on BBC Two They require a crew of 100 and over 50 cameras making them the BBC s largest British outside broadcast events Many of the cameras are hidden and operated remotely to record natural behaviour for example of birds in their nests and badgers outside their sett SpringwatchAlso known asAutumnwatch 2005 2022 WinterwatchCreated byBBC Natural History UnitPresented byBill OddieSimon KingKate HumbleChris Packham Martin Hughes Games Michaela Strachan Gillian BurkeIolo WilliamsMegan McCubbinTheme music composerDavid PooreCountry of originUnited KingdomOriginal languageEnglishProductionExecutive producerRosemary EdwardsRunning time60 90 minutesOriginal releaseNetworkBBC TwoBBC Two HDRelease30 May 2005 2005 05 30 presentRelatedBritain Goes Wild with Bill Oddie Springwatch Unsprung Springwatch ExtraEach year the series begins on the late May Bank Holiday the last Monday in May and is broadcast four nights each week for three weeks After the success of the first Springwatch in 2005 the BBC commissioned a one off special Autumnwatch which became a full series from 2006 to 2022 Winterwatch began in 2012 broadcast in January or February Due to budget issues the BBC decided to axe Autumnwatch as a programme in 2023 It will no longer air on the channel The BBC said that they decided to cancel it so that they can also put more money into its twin programmes Springwatch and Winterwatch as they generally get more viewers watching than Autumnwatch Presenter Megan McCubbin announced afterwards that she was sad that they had axed the show The Springwatch brand has expanded to incorporate further TV spin offs and specials and also has a strong online presence The BBC Springwatch website offers further video content and allows viewers and programme makers to interact through a message board Flickr photography group blogs and the BBCSpringwatch and BBCAutumnwatch Twitter accounts The executive producer of the three programme strands is Rosemary Edwards before 2018 Tim Scoones series launch to 2008 and 2012 Fiona Pitcher and the score was composed by David Poore Programmes are made by the BBC Natural History Unit but were originally commissioned by BBC Learning with the aim of getting viewers to actively participate in wildlife conservation Bill Oddie Kate Humble and Simon King were the presenting team until 2008 Oddie departed as a regular host at the beginning of 2009 though not by his own choice 3 to be replaced by Chris Packham Martin Hughes Games formerly a Springwatch producer also joined the team in 2009 4 In September 2010 King left the presenting team to pursue other projects 5 Michaela Strachan filled in for Humble during Autumnwatch 2011 reuniting her with Packham her former co host on The Really Wild Show When Humble left after Springwatch 2012 6 Strachan became her permanent replacement Strachan flies in from Cape Town South Africa to present the show Gillian Burke became a regular presenter in 2017 and for Winterwatch 2019 the presenters were joined by Iolo Williams who had previously been a field reporter Other regular contributors include cameraman and presenter Gordon Buchanan and sound recordist Chris Watson who has occasionally appeared on screen to describe his working methods Contents 1 Forerunners 2 Surveys and campaigns 3 Series overview 3 1 Springwatch 3 1 1 Series 1 2005 3 1 2 Series 2 2006 3 1 3 Series 3 2007 3 1 4 Series 4 2008 3 1 5 Series 5 2009 3 1 6 Series 6 2010 3 1 7 Series 7 2011 3 1 8 Series 8 2012 3 1 9 Series 9 2013 3 1 10 Series 10 2014 3 1 11 Series 11 2015 3 1 12 Series 12 2016 3 1 13 Series 13 2017 3 1 14 Series 14 2018 3 1 15 Series 15 2019 3 1 16 Series 16 2020 3 1 17 Series 17 2021 3 1 18 Series 18 2022 3 1 19 Series 19 2023 3 2 Autumnwatch 3 2 1 Special 2005 3 2 2 Series 1 2006 3 2 3 Series 2 2007 3 2 4 Series 3 2008 3 2 5 Series 4 2009 3 2 6 Series 5 2010 3 2 7 Series 6 2011 3 2 8 Series 7 2012 3 2 9 Series 8 2013 3 2 10 Series 9 2014 3 2 11 Series 10 2015 3 2 12 Series 11 2016 3 2 13 Series 12 2017 3 2 14 Series 13 2018 3 2 15 Series 14 2019 3 2 16 Series 15 2020 3 2 17 Series 16 2021 3 2 18 Series 17 2022 3 3 Winterwatch 3 3 1 Special 2012 3 3 2 Series 1 2013 3 3 3 Series 2 2014 3 3 4 Series 3 2015 3 3 5 Series 4 2016 3 3 6 Series 5 2017 3 3 7 Series 6 2018 3 3 8 Series 7 2019 3 3 9 Series 8 2020 3 3 10 Series 9 2021 3 3 11 Series 10 2022 3 3 12 Series 11 2023 3 3 13 Series 12 2024 4 Presenters 4 1 Springwatch and Autumnwatch 4 2 Winterwatch and other editions 5 Locations 6 Unsprung 7 Book 8 Music 9 Environment 10 Awards and nominations 11 See also 12 References 13 External linksForerunners editNatural history programmes began as live outside broadcasts on BBC television in the early 1950s when West Region s only television equipment was a mobile camera unit The origins of Springwatch can be traced back to the 1970s when the development of image intensifying cameras enabled animals to be filmed in the dark In May 1977 two remote controlled cameras and a series of infrared lamps were installed outside a badger sett in the Cotswolds The Natural History Unit broadcast the first live images of wild badgers during a week long television event called Badgerwatch Although each programme was only 10 minutes long it created the template on which Springwatch and all the intervening series have been based a format which has developed and expanded as technology has improved Badgerwatch was followed by Birdwatch broadcast annually throughout the 1980s and presented by Tony Soper initially from locations around Britain including Slimbridge Minsmere the River Exe the Farne Islands and Martin Mere Later series were filmed in Florida the Netherlands and the Camargue In 1988 came Reefwatch the first ever live underwater broadcast shown on British and American television It was anchored by Soper with divers Martha Holmes and Mike deGruy presenting during the Red Sea dive using bubble helmets another TV first The BBC broadcast further live series from Africa with Africawatch 1989 and Flamingowatch 1995 Bill Oddie and Simon King joined forces for the first time to present A Bird in the Nest in 1994 featuring 5 live instalments from nestbox cameras King also co presented Beachwatch a day of live broadcasts from a stretch of Norfolk coastline which aimed to show how wildlife responded to the changing tide The live format was rested until 2003 when it was resurrected with Oddie King and Kate Humble for Wild In Your Garden The following year the show evolved into Britain Goes Wild with Bill Oddie and was identical to the later Springwatch and Autumnwatch series in all but name Surveys and campaigns editFrom 2005 until 2007 the BBC ran a Springwatch survey in conjunction with the Woodland Trust Viewers were encouraged to record key events indicating the passage of spring including the first sign of frogspawn blossom on hawthorn trees and the arrival of swifts By comparing the results with previous years the surveys established that spring was arriving sooner than average The BBC are no longer involved in the annual survey now called Nature s Calendar but the results are still reported on the programme It remains the largest survey of phenology in the world A similar survey exists for Autumnwatch with the timing of the first oak leaf tint the ripening of blackberries and the dropping of conkers all being recorded The BBC led Breathing Places campaign was launched during Springwatch 2006 Awards are made to small projects across the country which aim to create small areas of wildlife friendly habitat particularly in cities In the first three phases of the campaign over 8 5 million of National Lottery funding has been awarded Local councils and Wildlife Trusts are also involved in the partnership Breathing Places evolved from an earlier BBC campaign called Make Space for Nature launched in 2004 to coincide with Britain Goes Wild with Bill Oddie Series overview editSpringwatch edit SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedAverage UK viewers millions First airedLast aired11230 May 2005 2005 05 30 16 June 2005 2005 06 16 3 4121229 May 2006 2006 05 29 15 June 2006 2006 06 15 3 3231528 May 2007 2007 05 28 14 June 2007 2007 06 14 3 5941226 May 2008 2008 05 26 12 June 2008 2008 06 12 3 3951225 May 2009 2009 05 25 11 June 2009 2009 06 11 3 1961231 May 2010 2010 05 31 17 June 2010 2010 06 17 2 55Special25 April 2011 2011 04 25 2 3571230 May 2011 2011 05 30 16 June 2011 2011 06 16 2 4281228 May 2012 2012 05 28 14 June 2012 2012 06 14 1 9291227 May 2013 2013 05 27 13 June 2013 2013 06 13 2 55101226 May 2014 2014 05 26 12 June 2014 2014 06 12 2 31Special3 April 2015 2015 04 03 2 39111225 May 2015 2015 05 25 11 June 2015 2015 06 11 2 23121230 May 2016 2016 05 30 12 June 2016 2016 06 12 2 29131229 May 2017 2017 05 29 15 June 2017 2017 06 15 2 30141228 May 2018 2018 05 28 14 June 2018 2018 06 14 1 85151227 May 2019 2019 05 27 13 June 2019 2019 06 13 1 86161226 May 2020 2020 05 26 12 June 2020 2020 06 12 2 63171225 May 2021 2021 05 25 11 June 2021 2021 06 11 TBA181231 May 2022 2022 05 31 17 June 2022 2022 06 17 TBA191230 May 2023 2023 05 30 15 June 2023 2023 06 15 TBA Series 1 2005 edit The first series of Springwatch debuted on BBC Two on 30 May 2005 and finished on 16 June Bill Oddie and Kate Humble were based at Fishleigh Estate an organic farm in north west Devon the same location had been used for the previous year s Britain Goes Wild with Bill Oddie Animals filmed included swallows nesting in the barn blue tit families in nestboxes and great spotted woodpeckers visiting bird feeders Simon King visited three locations across the country firstly the Isle of Mull to watch white tailed eagles on a nest secondly the London Wetland Centre to observe peregrine falcons and red foxes and finally the Farne Islands to view the seabird colonies and grey seals Over 150 000 sightings were reported in the Springwatch survey Series 2 2006 edit The second series of Springwatch was broadcast from 29 May to 15 June 2006 Bill Oddie and Kate Humble again presented from the Fishleigh Estate farm where more than 50 secret cameras were rigged up to film the day to day dramas of nesting birds including pied flycatchers barn owls and dabchicks The badgers only made a single live appearance in the whole three weeks Pre recorded films featured moles capercaillies and earwigs In the Shetland Islands Simon King followed a family of otters and a host of birds puffins great skuas oystercatchers merlins and red throated divers Springwatch also tracked brent geese on their spring migration from Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland to their breeding grounds in Canada s Queen Elizabeth Islands via stopovers in Iceland and Greenland Live webcams around the country enabled viewers to follow animal stories on the Springwatch website These included ospreys at Loch Garten in Scotland red kites at Rockingham Forest in the East Midlands and pipistrelle bats in Cornwall A spin off programme titled CBeebies Springwatch aired on the CBeebies channel and Springwatch editions of The Really Wild Show aired on the CBBC channel The presenters were Justin Fletcher Nick Baker and Michaela Strachan Series 3 2007 edit For the third series of Springwatch broadcast from 28 May to 14 June 2007 on BBC Two Bill Oddie and Kate Humble were again based at the Devon farm Birds filmed live on their nests included swallows buzzards jays barn owls and jackdaws Oddie had close encounters with an otter and a kingfisher on the River Torridge which runs through the farm Simon King travelled to the Hebridean island of Islay where he filmed local specialities such as red billed choughs corncrakes hen harriers golden eagles and common shelducks The series also featured barn owl chicks at Cornwall s Lost Gardens of Heligan and cameras captured the moment when one chick killed and ate its younger sibling Gordon Buchanan filmed urban red foxes in Glasgow for a pre recorded nightly diary segment The 2007 series spawned more spin offs on other BBC television channels radio stations and the internet Springwatch Nightshift broadcast two hours of live footage of badgers owls and bats on BBC Two each night and a half hour weekly review programme aired on Friday evenings on BBC One CBeebies Springwatch returned to CBeebies for 2007 alongside Springwatch Trackers which aired on CBBC presented live from the farm each morning by Steve Backshall and Kirsten O Brien 7 A live outside broadcast from the Springwatch farm featured on Terry Wogan s BBC Radio 2 breakfast show on 13 June and on BBC Radio 4 a special edition of Nature on 11 June answered listeners questions about spring 8 Series 4 2008 edit For the fourth series of Springwatch the production team moved to a new location at the Pensthorpe Natural Park in Norfolk due to a change of ownership at the Fishleigh Estate farm It was broadcast on BBC Two from 26 May to 12 June Bill Oddie and Kate Humble watched local birds on the nest including little ringed plovers goldcrests and reed buntings all new species for Springwatch Swallows blue tits great tits greenfinches pied wagtails and robins were amongst the returning species Simon King was based in the Cairngorm National Park where he brought viewers footage of ospreys with chicks pine martens Scottish wildcats ptarmigan and crested tits The 2007 edition of CBeebies Springwatch was repeated that year and would be the final year the series would air being scrapped in favour of Green Balloon Club The week after the main series ended four Springwatch Specials were screened Humble presented a programme on marine life Oddie looked at garden wildlife King focussed on spectacular British wildlife events and Gordon Buchanan met people who have interesting relationships with wildlife Series 5 2009 edit nbsp The Springwatch 2009 webcam consoleSpringwatch returned for its fifth series broadcast from 25 May to 11 June 2009 Bill Oddie who had left the programme for personal health reasons was replaced as the series co anchor by Chris Packham He joined Kate Humble for the show s second year based at Pensthorpe Simon King toured locations across north and mid Wales viewing Anglesey s seabird colonies goshawks and red kites His main challenge was to find and film a wild polecat Wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan was based at a badger sett in Essex Former producer Martin Hughes Games also joined the team to present a regular feature on conservation holidays as well as co hosting the spin off Springwatch Unsprung programmes The Springwatch website continued to host regularly updated blogs message boards and webcams as well as wildlife information Over the course of the series Packham privately set himself the challenge of inserting the titles of songs by The Smiths into the script for each episode 9 10 Three new Springwatch Specials aired after the main series had finished King revealed some of the tricks of the trade of a wildlife cameraman in Close Encounters Hughes Games revealed Britain s best wildlife locations in Holidays and Buchanan presented a compilation of viewers videos in Home Movies Series 6 2010 edit The BBC commissioned a special Snow Watch programme to show how wildlife was affected by the coldest winter weather for 35 years The programme was created in just five days and was broadcast on 13 January 2010 11 in place of a scheduled edition of Natural World The Points West studio was used for the indoor portion of the show and the normal theme music was replaced for the end credits with the song Walk Out to Winter by Aztec Camera The sixth three week 2010 edition of Springwatch began airing on BBC Two beginning on 31 May 12 It was preceded by three special editions the first of which Chris Packham s Signs of Change about climate change aired on 17 May Others were shown on 19 and 20 May The BBC supported the series with a Twitter account bbc springwatch using the hashtag springwatch 13 Packham used a reference to The Cure in each episode 14 Brett Westwood was among the participants in the series bird race and Bill Oddie made a guest appearance in the penultimate episode of the series The series was followed on 20 June by a two hour live charity appeal tie in Wild Night In Broadcast from London Zoo it was fronted by Humble Packham and Hughes Games with pre recorded segments some featuring David Attenborough 15 A 90 minute Springwatch Christmas Special was broadcast on 29 December Based at Chris Packham s house in the New Forest the show included highlights from the 2010 series and specials plus a number of new reports on topics that had hit the headlines during the year Series 7 2011 edit A Springwatch Easter Special was aired on 25 April 2011 and featured the return of Bill Oddie as a guest presenter The full series presented by Kate Humble Chris Packham and Martin Hughes Games started on Monday 30 May 2011 at 8pm on BBC 2 from a new venue RSPB Ynys hir in mid Wales During the first week Charlie Hamilton James presented daily updates on the reintroduction of beavers to the United Kingdom At the end of week one Charlie was set the task of filming beavers live he succeeded During week two Iolo Williams broadcast from Skomer Island He was filming puffins and during the week introduced a new webcam The presenter for week three was Liz Bonnin at Pitsea Landfill site filming foxes She was set the task of filming live foxes and succeeded The series closed with a montage of clips of the cast singing the Tom Jones song It s Not Unusual whose lyrics had been surreptitiously inserted into the script over the three week run A Christmas Special was broadcast on Boxing Day 26 December recorded at Ynys Hir and presented by Strachan Packham Hughes Games and Humble and featuring guest appearances by Chris Watson and others as well as a newly filmed sequence from Bill Oddie 16 Series 8 2012 edit Springwatch returned to BBC Two and BBC HD on 28 May 2012 live and direct from Ynys hir RSPB reserve in Wales for three weeks Monday to Thursday Chris Packham and Martin Hughes Games will present the show with Kate Humble being replaced by Autumnwatch Live presenter Michaela Strachan 17 A summer special was announced on the final episode of Springwatch 2012 and Springwatch Guide to Sea Birds was broadcast on 23 August 2012 Chris Packham secretly introduced the titles of 49 songs and albums by David Bowie into his presentations 18 Series 9 2013 edit The 2013 series of Springwatch returned on 27 May and once again was broadcast live for three weeks from RSPB Ynys Hir Chris Packham Martin Hughes Games and Michaela Strachan returned to present with Iolo Williams as a roving reporter A new show called Springwatch in the Afternoon was broadcast across the first two weeks hosted by Nick Baker which was broadcast live on Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays 19 Chris Packham sneaked in references to song titles by The Clash in his presentations 20 Series 10 2014 edit nbsp The Springwatch presenters Chris Packham left Michaela Strachan centre and Martin Hughes Games right at the 2014 Springwatch media launch RSPB Minsmere Suffolk EnglandIn 2014 Springwatch celebrated its tenth anniversary by moving to a new base at RSPB Minsmere in North Suffolk The series was broadcast on BBC Two online and the Red Button for three weeks from 26 May to 12 June 2014 Springwatch Unsprung hosted by Baker was shown after the main programme online and on the BBC Red Button from Mondays to Wednesdays and on BBC Two on Thursdays 21 Iolo Williams returned as the regular roving reporter broadcasting live from the west coast of Scotland Special features included cameraman Doug Allan s underwater footage of grey seals on Lundy a report on how the wildlife of the Somerset Levels was affected by the winter floods and updates on the latest research into urban foxes and cuckoo migration 22 Series 11 2015 edit A special one off Springwatch at Easter aired on 3 April 2015 23 The series returned to RSPB Minsmere on 25 May 2015 with 12 episodes over the next three weeks 24 Series 12 2016 edit nbsp The Springwatch studio building at RSPB MinsmereSpringwatch aired in 2016 between 30 May and 16 June live from RSPB Minsmere Series 13 2017 edit A special one off Springwatch in Japan Cherry Blossom Time aired on 21 April 2017 and was presented by regular hosts Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan and guest presenter James Wong The farmland of Sherborne Park Gloucestershire became the new host site for the main Springwatch series 25 26 The programme gained a new host Gillian Burke 27 Series 14 2018 edit Springwatch again from Sherborne Park ran for three weeks starting on Monday 28 May with a 90 minute extended edition Martin Hughes Games was not involved being replaced by a number of guest presenters the first of whom was Steve Backshall 28 Iolo Williams appeared in week two with Lucy Cooke and Patrick Aryee scheduled for the final week 29 Series 15 2019 edit Springwatch was broadcast from a new site near Nethy Bridge on the edge of the Abernethy Forest in the Cairngorms National Park 30 Packham Strachan and Burke continued as presenters and were joined by Iolo Williams 31 Series 16 2020 edit Due to the COVID 19 pandemic the 2020 series starting on 25 May did not come from a central base Instead each presenter appeared from a location near their home respecting government guidelines on social distancing Packham joined occasionally by his step daughter Megan McCubbin a zoologist was in the New Forest Williams in Montgomeryshire and Burke in Cornwall Although she sent a video message from her home in South Africa Strachan was unable to return to the UK to participate Steve Backshall was guest presenter during the first week from his home on the Thames with Gordon Buchanan presenting from Loch Lomond National Park in week two 32 and Ellie Harrison in the Golden Valley near Stroud in week three 33 34 Some films from previous years were re screened Additional material was made available on the BBC s iPlayer service 35 36 The first Thursday episode started at 8pm with the presenters joining the national Clap for Our Carers except for Burke due to her proximity to wild beavers 37 Series 17 2021 edit Packham and Strachan broadcast from the Wild Ken Hill sustainable agriculture in Norfolk 38 while Iolo Williams was based at Alladale Wilderness Reserve Scotland 39 40 Gillian Burke was at WWT Castle Espie Northern Ireland 41 Series 18 2022 edit Packham and Strachan again broadcast from Wild Ken Hill sustainable agriculture in Norfolk McCubbin did a roadtrip through northern England visiting Kielder Forest Hauxley Nature Reserve and Newcastle upon Tyne Williams was again on the Isle of Mull Gillian Burke did not appear having also missed Winterwatch 2022 42 43 44 Series 19 2023 edit In Series 19 Packham and Strachan presented from RSPB Arne in Dorset Gillian Burke from North Wales and Megan McCubbin from Devon and Arne 45 McCubbin was originally not scheduled to appear as a host but replaced Iolo Williams who missed the series due to ill health 46 The show received complaints after airing a scene showing a gamekeeper beating a buzzard to death with a stick 47 Autumnwatch edit SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedAverage UK viewers millions First airedLast airedSpecial8 November 2005 2005 11 08 2 60182 October 2006 2006 10 02 12 October 2006 2006 10 12 3 76285 November 2007 2007 11 05 14 November 2007 2007 11 14 3 523827 October 2008 2008 10 27 6 November 2008 2008 11 06 3 19482 October 2009 2009 10 02 20 November 2009 2009 11 20 2 31587 October 2010 2010 10 07 25 November 2010 2010 11 25 2 18647 October 2011 2011 10 07 28 November 2011 2011 11 28 2 127430 October 2012 2012 10 30 2 November 2012 2012 11 02 2 308429 October 2013 2013 10 29 1 November 2013 2013 11 01 2 489428 October 2014 2014 10 28 31 October 2014 2014 10 31 2 431042 November 2015 2015 11 02 5 November 2015 2015 11 05 2 2611424 October 2016 2016 10 24 27 October 2016 2016 10 27 2 7312423 October 2017 2017 10 23 26 October 2017 2017 10 26 2 5413415 October 2018 2018 10 15 18 October 2018 2018 10 18 1 9714429 October 2019 2019 10 29 1 November 2019 2019 11 01 1 8315827 October 2020 2020 10 27 6 November 2020 2020 11 06 TBA16426 October 2021 2021 10 26 29 October 2021 2021 10 29 TBA17425 October 2022 2022 10 25 28 October 2022 2022 10 28 TBA Special 2005 edit The success of the first series of Springwatch led to the BBC and the Woodland Trust collaborating once again to launch an appeal for sightings of the approach of autumn The results of the first Autumnwatch survey were presented by Bill Oddie in a one off programme in November 2005 entitled Wild Autumn with Bill Oddie Series 1 2006 edit For 2006 Autumnwatch was extended to a two week series broadcast from 2 12 October Oddie and Kate Humble were based at Martin Mere wetland reserve in Lancashire where they awaited the arrival of local wild swans and the return of the brent geese to Northern Island King watched the red deer rut on the island of Rum In addition cameraman Gordon Buchanan filmed a nightly grey seal diary from the Monarch Islands British viewers could submit their sightings of natural autumn events on the Autumnwatch website and the findings were developed into an online map showing the progression of autumn events across the country This showed a correlation with temperature Much like with Springwatch a spin off show for CBeebies aired titled CBeebies Autumnwatch Series 2 2007 edit Autumnwatch was broadcast later in the year than the previous series from 5 to 14 November Oddie and Humble were based at Martin Mere as for the previous year but this time King toured some of Britain s best places for viewing wildlife There were daily pre recorded sequences from the deer rut in Rum which had taken place earlier in the season Instead of airing a new series the 2006 CBeebies Autumnwatch season was repeated which caused some parents to complain to the BBC citation needed Series 3 2008 edit For Autumnwatch 2008 broadcast from 27 October 6 November 48 Oddie and Humble were based at Brownsea Island one of the few places in southern England where red squirrels can still be seen King visited a variety of locations around the country beginning with three days watching fallow deer at Petworth Park and muntjac at Birmingham Airport He then followed up sightings of otters in a Walsall canal but although his team found traces of the animals they didn t manage to film them During the second week he watched ravens on Anglesey and made two live dives off the south coast of England managing to find and film a conger eel Gordon Buchanan travelled to the Farne Islands to film the grey seal colony during the pupping season Attempts to communicate with Oddie and Humble via a live satellite link were thwarted on several occasions by bad weather conditions Additional content was made available on the Autumnwatch website including live webcams extra videos and a blog 49 Series 4 2009 edit In a change from the usual format the 2009 series of Autumnwatch was broadcast once a week every Friday for eight weeks Executive producer Tim Scoones attributed the change to the popularity of the series multiplatform formats such as its Flickr group 50 The series ran from 2 October to 20 November 2009 Packham and Humble were based at the BBC Natural History Unit headquarters in Bristol but owing to the late hour of broadcast all wildlife footage was prerecorded Series 5 2010 edit The 2010 Autumnwatch series was broadcast every Thursday from 7 October for 8 weeks It was once again based at from the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol Simon King did not participate and was replaced by a variety of reporters who took his slot each week Series 6 2011 edit Autumnwatch returned with a new name Autumnwatch Live on 7 October 2011 For the first four weeks it was presented from the National Arboretum at Westonbirt and for the final four weeks the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust s Slimbridge reserve by Michaela Strachan Chris Packham and Martin Hughes Games Each week there was a guest presenter who focused on one particular aspect of the British countryside These included Bill Oddie Kate Humble did not participate due to other projects Series 7 2012 edit The 2012 series of Autumnwatch started on 30 October 2012 and ran for 4 consecutive days 51 It was being broadcast live from the Aigas Field Centre in the Scottish Highlands 51 Iolo Williams reported on golden eagles from the Outer Hebrides 52 John Lister Kaye owner of the field centre also appeared 52 The final episode was followed by a half hour Unsprung programme Series 8 2013 edit Autumnwatch returned on 29 October for four nights from a new location at RSPB Leighton Moss in Lancashire with Unsprung following the final episode A new live show Autumnwatch Extra aired on the red button and online each day 53 54 Series 9 2014 edit Autumnwatch 2014 returned to Leighton Moss Lancashire with companion Extra and Unsprung strands and webcams Series 10 2015 edit Autumnwatch aired between 2 and 5 November 2015 55 Series 11 2016 edit Autumnwatch moved to RSPB Arne in Dorset Series 12 2017 edit The farmland of Sherborne Park Gloucestershire became the host site for Autumnwatch 25 26 The programme gained a new field reporter Gillian Burke 27 Series 13 2018 edit Autumnwatch moved outside the UK for the first time being broadcast from a site on the shores of Squam Lake in New Hampshire United States on four consecutive evenings from Monday 15 October 56 Packham and Strachan were joined by Gillian Burke 56 Series 14 2019 edit Autumnwatch was broadcast from a new site near Nethy Bridge on the edge of the Abernethy Forest in the Cairngorms National Park 30 Packham Strachan and Burke continued as presenters and were joined by Iolo Williams 31 Series 15 2020 edit Autumnwatch was broadcast from four locations Iolo Williams at the Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth Michaela Strachan at Tenstmuir Fife Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin in the New Forest and Gillian Burke at RSPB Dearne Valley Old Moor South Yorkshire 57 58 Series 16 2021 edit Packham and Strachan broadcast from the Wild Ken Hill sustainable agriculture in Norfolk 59 Megan McCubbin was on the Isle of Mull 60 while Gillian Burke was at WWT Castle Espie Northern Ireland 61 The series was four episodes and Iolo Williams did not appear the programme was moved to accommodate FA Cup broadcasts and Williams was scheduled to lead walks of the Isle of Mull on the days it was broadcasting he appeared in one prerecorded segment 62 63 Series 17 2022 edit Packham and Strachan broadcast from the Wild Ken Hill in Norfolk while Iolo Williams and Gillian Burke were at the Teifi Marshes and Cardigan Bay Featured creatures included Nigma walckenaeri edible dormouse and orca 64 This was the last ever series of Autumnwatch before being axed Winterwatch edit SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedAverage UK viewers millions First airedLast airedSpecial22 February 2012 2012 02 22 2 211414 January 2013 2013 01 14 17 January 2013 2013 01 17 2 66Special19 January 2013 2013 01 19 3 162420 January 2014 2014 01 20 23 January 2014 2014 01 23 2 563419 January 2015 2015 01 19 22 January 2015 2015 01 22 2 374426 January 2016 2016 01 26 29 January 2016 2016 01 29 2 665423 January 2017 2017 01 23 26 January 2017 2017 01 26 2 596429 January 2018 2018 01 29 1 February 2018 2018 02 01 2 227429 January 2019 2019 01 29 1 February 2019 2019 02 01 2 458428 January 2020 2020 01 28 31 January 2020 2020 01 31 1 719819 January 2021 2021 01 19 29 January 2021 2021 01 29 TBA10818 January 2022 2022 01 18 28 January 2022 2022 01 28 TBA11817 January 2023 2023 01 17 27 January 2023 2023 01 27 TBA124January 2024 2024 01 January 2024 2024 01 TBA Special 2012 edit A one off hour long Winterwatch was broadcast by the BBC on 22 February 2012 presented from the Brecon Beacons by Kate Humble Chris Packham and Martin Hughes Games with filmed segments by Charlie Hamilton James Maya Plass Gordon Buchanan Michaela Strachan and Chris Watson 65 Series 1 2013 edit A four day Winterwatch aired between 14 and 17 January 2013 again from Aigas with an Unsprung programme following the final episode 66 Following that there was a Winterwatch special Winterwatch 1963 The Big Freeze that was broadcast on 19 January Series 2 2014 edit Winterwatch returned to BBC Two between 20 and 23 January 2014 broadcast live from the Mar Lodge Estate in Aberdeenshire with Unsprung following the final episode hosted by Nick Baker There was a special Winterwatch Extra Garden Birds Special on the BBC Red Button and online from 24 to 26 January 2014 hosted by Euan McIlwraith and Richard Taylor Jones from various locations around Great Britain 67 Series 3 2015 edit Winterwatch returned to BBC Two between 19 and 22 January 2015 again broadcast live from the Mar Lodge Estate in Aberdeenshire 68 Series 4 2016 edit The programme was broadcast live from the Mar Lodge Estate between 26 and 29 January 2016 Series 5 2017 edit Winterwatch moved to RSPB Arne in Dorset and was broadcast for four evenings from 23 January Series 6 2018 edit Winterwatch was broadcast from Sherborne Park over four evenings starting on Monday 29 January with contributions from Gillian Burke on the island of Islay in the Inner Hebrides 69 Series 7 2019 edit Winterwatch was broadcast over four evenings starting on 29 January from a new site near Nethy Bridge on the edge of the Abernethy Forest in the Cairngorms National Park 30 Packham Strachan and Burke continued as presenters and were joined by Iolo Williams 31 Series 8 2020 edit Winterwatch was broadcast over four evenings starting on Tuesday 28 January from the same site as the previous series Series 9 2021 edit Winterwatch began again on 19 January and was broadcast from the presenters home areas Iolo Williams at the Centre for Alternative Technology Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin in the New Forest and Gillian Burke at the Cornish beaver reintroduction project It was shown Tuesday to Friday for two weeks Michaela Strachan was still in lockdown in South Africa and was not presenting but made a guest appearance on a pre recorded video chat with Chris Packham 70 71 72 73 Sea swimmer Katie Maggs also appeared 74 Series 10 2022 edit The same three locations were used as in Autumnwatch 2021 Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan at Wild Ken Hill Megan McCubbin at WWT Castle Espie County Down and Iolo Williams on the Isle of Mull 75 Gillian Burke does not appear live due to personal commitments but supplies some material recorded in the Cotswolds and South West England 76 The poet Robert Macfarlane also features 77 Series 11 2023 edit Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan were at Wild Ken Hill Iolo Williams and Gillian Burke at various sites in Edinburgh 78 79 Series 12 2024 edit For 2024 Winterwatch will be reduced to a single week due to the axing of Autumnwatch 80 81 Presenters editSpringwatch and Autumnwatch edit Current presenters Chris Packham 2009 present Michaela Strachan 2011 present Gillian Burke 2018 present Iolo Williams 2019 present Megan McCubbin 2020 presentFormer presenters Bill Oddie 2005 2008 Kate Humble 2005 2011 Martin Hughes Games 2009 2017Field reporter Simon King 2005 2010 Guest reporters see below 2010 2016 Gillian Burke 2017 2018Following Simon King s departure in 2010 the role of field reporter was filled by various guest presenters notably Gordon Buchanan Charlie Hamilton James Iolo Williams Liz Bonnin and Michaela Strachan He was eventually replaced by Gillian Burke seven years later Megan Mcubbin has become a regular presenter on the programmes after co presenting alongside her step dad in 2020 She has since covered for Gillian Burke who couldn t attend for Springwatch or Winterwatch during 2022 due to timing constraints She also covered for Iolo Williams in Springwatch 2023 as he couldn t present due to health issues Winterwatch and other editions edit Britain Goes Wild presenters Bill Oddie 2004 Kate Humble 2004 Simon King 2004Snow Watch presenters Chris Packham 2010 Kate Humble 2010 Martin Hughes Games 2010Winterwatch presenters Chris Packham 2012 present Michaela Strachan 2013 present Gillian Burke 2018 present Iolo Williams 2018 present Martin Hughes Games 2012 2018 Kate Humble 2012Springwatch at Easter Chris Packham 2015 Michaela Strachan 2015 Martin Hughes Games 2015 Simon King 2015Springwatch in Japan Cherry Blossom Time Chris Packham 2017 Michaela Strachan 2017 James Wong 2017Other presenters involved in the programmes include Roy Dennis Johnny Kingdom Leah Gooding Richard Taylor Jones Chris Watson Doug Allan Andrew Agnew PC Plum Sidney Sloane Nick Baker presenter of Springwatch in the Afternoon in 2013 and Springwatch Unsprung in 2014 Euan McIlwraith and Brett Westwood co presenters of Springwatch Extra in 2014 In the 2018 edition of Springwatch several guest presenters rotated the role alongside Packham and Strachan including Steve Backshall Iolo Williams Lucy Cooke and Patrick Aryee For Winterwatch and Autumnwatch 2019 all four presenters were in the same location with no field reporter For Springwatch 2019 Gillian Burke was a field reporter for episodes 1 to 11 returning to the main studio for the last show episode 12 Locations edit nbsp nbsp Martin Mere nbsp Pensthorpe nbsp Brownsea Island nbsp Ynys hir nbsp Westonbirt nbsp Slimbridge nbsp Mull nbsp Brecon Beacons nbsp Aigas nbsp Leighton Moss nbsp Mar Lodge nbsp Minsmere nbsp Caerlaverock nbsp Arne nbsp Sherborne nbsp Abernethy nbsp Fishleigh nbsp Wild Ken Hill nbsp Castle Espie nbsp Teifi Marshes nbsp Cardigan Bay nbsp Alladaleclass notpageimage Map of Great Britain and Ireland indicating main locations of Watch series Year Series Base location2004 Britain Goes Wild Fishleigh Estate2005 SpringwatchAutumnwatch2006 SpringwatchAutumnwatch Martin Mere2007 Springwatch Fishleigh EstateAutumnwatch Martin Mere2008 Springwatch Pensthorpe Nature ReserveAutumnwatch Brownsea Island2009 Springwatch Pensthorpe Nature ReserveAutumnwatch BBC Natural History Unit2010 Snow WatchSpringwatch Pensthorpe Nature ReserveAutumnwatch BBC Natural History Unit2011 Springwatch RSPB Ynys hirAutumnwatch Westonbirt ArboretumWWT Slimbridge2012 Winterwatch Brecon Beacons National ParkSpringwatch RSPB Ynys hirAutumnwatch Aigas Field Centre2013 WinterwatchSpringwatch RSPB Ynys hirAutumnwatch RSPB Leighton Moss2014 Winterwatch Mar Lodge EstateSpringwatch RSPB MinsmereAutumnwatch RSPB Leighton Moss2015 Winterwatch Mar Lodge EstateSpringwatch at Easter RSPB MinsmereSpringwatchAutumnwatch WWT Caerlaverock2016 Winterwatch Mar Lodge EstateSpringwatch RSPB MinsmereAutumnwatch RSPB Arne2017 WinterwatchSpringwatch Sherborne ParkAutumnwatch2018 WinterwatchSpringwatchAutumnwatch Squam Lake New England2019 Winterwatch Abernethy ForestSpringwatchAutumnwatch2020 WinterwatchSpringwatch Presenters home areas due to COVID 19 Autumnwatch2021 WinterwatchSpringwatch Wild Ken HillAlladale Wilderness ReserveWWT Castle EspieAutumnwatch Wild Ken Hill WWT Castle Espie Isle of Mull2022 WinterwatchSpringwatch Wild Ken HillIsle of MullNorthumberlandAutumnwatch Wild Ken HillTeifi Marshes and Cardigan Bay2023 Winterwatch Wild Ken HillEdinburghSpringwatch RSPB ArneNorth WalesUnsprung editBeginning with the fifth series Springwatch in 2009 the Springwatch and Autumnwatch series have been accompanied by a live Unsprung programme a half hour show that airs once a week and answers viewers wildlife questions along with audience surveys and pub quizzes filmed in the main studio 82 Book editSpringwatch and Autumnwatch was published by Collins in April 2007 and features content from all the regular presenters to that date 83 Music edit nbsp Britain Goes Wild source source 6 second sample of Britain Goes Wild by David Poore Problems playing this file See media help The theme music was commissioned by the BBC from independent composer David Poore and was nominated for a Royal Television Society award in 2007 Environment editIn January 2021 Winterwatch began using hydrogen fuel cell technology to power their outside broadcast truck instead of diesel They also incorporated batteries into the power supply for their three live presenter locations to reduce their fuel consumption 84 Awards and nominations edit Best Pre school Live Action Series awarded to CBeebies Springwatch at the 2006 BAFTA Children s Awards 85 Producers Clare Bradley amp Tony Reed Director Aliex Yuill Springwatch nominated for Best Title Theme at the Royal Television Society Awards in 2007 Composer David Poore Cbeebies Autumn Watch nominated for Best Children s Live Action Series at the 2007 BAFTA Children s Awards 86 Producers Clare Bradley amp Helen Darrington Directors Lotte Elwell amp Susannah Udall 2021 British Academy Television Awards television BAFTAs British Academy Television Award for Best Live Event awarded to Springwatch 2020 BBC Studios Natural History Unit and The Open University See also editLambing LiveReferences edit BBC Studios The Natural History Unit Springwatch www bbcstudios com Series Producer The Watches Jobs and careers with BBC careerssearch bbc co uk Bill Oddie to return to Springwatch for tenth anniversary Radio Times Retrieved 14 June 2014 Tim Scoones 18 March 2009 Springwatch 2009 new presenter team announced BBC Retrieved 21 March 2009 Simon King and Autumnwatch talkwildlife com Retrieved 30 October 2013 Furness Hannah 8 March 2012 Kate Humble to leave Springwatch The Daily Telegraph London Springwatch Trackers ukgameshows com Retrieved 5 January 2008 Spring Questions BBC Radio Retrieved 13 June 2007 Well I Warbler Packham reveals Smiths song title lark in Springwatch The Guardian London 3 June 2009 Retrieved 10 June 2009 Montage of Smiths references YouTube 13 June 2009 Archived from the original on 13 December 2021 Retrieved 14 June 2009 Snow Watch BBC Television Retrieved 5 June 2018 Springwatch Press Pack BBC Press Office 7 May 2010 BBC Springwatch BBC Springwatch on Twitter Twitter com Retrieved 30 October 2013 Packham Chris The Cure From The Smiths to Robert BBC Online BBC Nature Retrieved 25 June 2010 Wild Night In BBC Retrieved 20 June 2010 Christmas Special Springwatch 26 December 2011 BBC Martin Hughes Games Nature UK Springwatch Unsprung is back for 2012 BBC Retrieved 30 October 2013 Rebel Chris Packham sneaks David Bowie song titles into BBC s Springwatch The Telegraph 24 June 2012 Retrieved 8 November 2017 Holly Spearing 4 May 2013 Blogs Autumnwatch Springwatch returns and announcing Springwatch in the Afternoon BBC Retrieved 30 October 2013 The Clash get surreptitious Springwatch namecheck from host Chris Packham The Independent 28 May 2013 Retrieved 30 May 2022 James Smith 8 May 2014 Blogs Springwatch Springwatch returns on 26th May 2014 BBC Retrieved 30 June 2014 Springwatch 2014 BBC Media Centre Retrieved 14 June 2014 BBC Two Springwatch Springwatch at Easter BBC BBC Two Springwatch 2015 Episode 1 BBC a b Springwatch comes to Sherborne Park National Trust 9 May 2017 Retrieved 29 May 2017 a b Autumnwatch National Trust October 2017 Retrieved 9 November 2017 a b Meet Winterwatch s new presenter Gillian Burke Radio Times Retrieved 13 January 2020 Springwatch 2018 BBC Retrieved 31 May 2018 Springwatch FAQ BBC Two BBC Retrieved 31 May 2018 a b c Humphreys Georgia 29 January 2019 Chris Packham on filming BBC Winterwatch in the Cairngorms The Scotsman Retrieved 30 January 2019 a b c BBC Two Winterwatch Series 7 Episode 1 BBC Retrieved 29 January 2019 Tonight s TV Springwatch 2020 and Bake Off The Professionals The National Retrieved 4 June 2020 Norris Phil 10 June 2020 Why Ellie Harrison and Chris Packham disagreed on Springwatch Gloucestershire Live Retrieved 11 June 2020 BBC Two s Springwatch announces guest presenters Steve Backshall Ellie Harrison Gordon Buchanan and Megan McCubbin Media Centre BBC Retrieved 31 May 2020 Episode 1 Springwatch Series 16 Episode 1 25 May 2020 BBC Two Retrieved 25 May 2020 Episode 2 Springwatch Series 16 Episode 2 26 May 2020 BBC Two Retrieved 26 May 2020 Episode 3 Springwatch Series 16 Episode 3 27 May 2020 BBC Two Retrieved 27 May 2020 BBC Springwatch at Wild Ken Hill Behind the scenes BBC News 27 May 2021 June 2021 Lucy Buglass 01 7 June 2021 Springwatch 2021 start date presenters locations and everything you need to know whattowatch com a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint numeric names authors list link BBC Springwatch viewers see amazing footage of killer whales off Caithness coast 30 May 2021 Tinson Emma 2 June 2021 Springwatch Why isn t Chris Packham presenting Springwatch Express co uk Pritchard Emma Louise 16 May 2022 Springwatch 2022 Locations presenters and wildlife Country Living Galea Pace Sean 11 May 2022 Filming of BBC Springwatch set for Norfolk return Eastern Daily Press How to watch Springwatch Discover Wildlife Springwatch presenter pulls out of launch with worrying health update Yahoo Finance 28 May 2023 Springwatch 2023 New location revealed for this year s series Country Living 10 May 2023 Rodger James Beck Laycie 9 June 2023 BBC Springwatch fans in tears over horrific moment with buzzard NottinghamshireLive Simon King Events Archived from the original on 9 April 2008 Retrieved 8 September 2008 Autumnwatch 2008 comes to Brownsea Island Dorset Wildlife Trust Retrieved 9 September 2008 McMahon Kate 11 June 2009 Autumnwatch extended to cash in on web appeal Broadcast Emap Media Retrieved 11 June 2009 a b BBC Two Autumnwatch BBC Online BBC Retrieved 30 October 2012 a b 2012 October 31 Autumnwatch Episode 2 31 October 2012 BBC Retrieved 31 October 2012 BBC Springwatch BBCSpringwatch 27 September 2013 PabP54 Autumnwatch returns on the 29th October Tweet via Twitter James Smith 7 October 2013 Blogs Autumnwatch Autumnwatch returns from a new location BBC Retrieved 30 October 2013 BBC Two Autumnwatch 2015 Autumnwatch Day One BBC a b Mclean Craig Autumnwatch New England Chris Packham explains why the BBC nature series is heading to the USA Radio Times Retrieved 19 October 2018 Autumnwatch 2020 is falling back onto TV www newsletter co uk BBC s Autumnwatch launches from Mid Wales tonight County Times Nature show broadcasting from Wild Ken Hill next week 20 October 2021 Sunner Amber 26 October 2021 Autumnwatch 2021 Presenter Chris Packham s other TV shows BristolLive Autumnwatch 2021 to return to Strangford Lough nature reserve www lisburntoday co uk Bevan Nathan 19 October 2021 Why Iolo Williams won t be live hosting this year s Autumnwatch WalesOnline Nichols Robbie 16 October 2021 BBC Autumnwatch returns to Norfolk for another season Eastern Daily Press Autumnwatch 2022 Meet the presenters and find out what to expect this season www bbc com Winterwatch Winterwatch 22 February 2012 BBC Retrieved 22 February 2012 Coming up on Winterwatch 2013 BBC Online 4 January 2013 Retrieved 13 January 2013 1 Archived 7 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine BBC Springwatch BBCSpringwatch 9 January 2015 10 days to go Winterwatch 19 22 January BBC2 Hoping for red squirrels pic by 2slo7 Tweet via Twitter photo 1 Everything you need to know about Winterwatch 2018 BBC Two 15 January 2015 Retrieved 5 February 2018 The Bay Winterwatch Silenced Hidden Story of Disabled Britain President Biden inauguration previews HeraldScotland Iolo to host wildlife show from CAT once again Aberystwyth Buglass Lucy 15 January 2021 Winterwatch 2021 Everything you need to know about the new series What s on TV Miller Rebecca 31 December 2020 Michaela Strachan won t host Winterwatch 2021 with Chris Packham Deeply saddened Express co uk Marshall Michelle 12 January 2021 Winterwatch 2021 star Katie Maggs speaks out on breakdown My body jumped by itself Express co uk Harrison Maxine 18 January 2022 Winterwatch returns to BBC Two this week Manchester Evening News Nisbet Megan 18 January 2022 BBC Winterwatch 2022 presenters Where is Gillian Burke WalesOnline Winterwatch 2022 presenters with Gillian Burke and Chris Packham BBC Two start time www nationalworld com 18 January 2022 Winterwatch 2023 Meet the presenters and find out more about this season s live cameras and pre filmed stories www bbc com Retrieved 10 July 2023 Grace Morris 17 January 2023 Winterwatch 2023 air date presenters locations and everything we know whattowatch com Where is Springwatch visiting and what time is it on TV Countryfile com Springwatch presenter pulls out ahead of launch for health reasons Radio Times BBC Two Autumnwatch Unsprung 2012 Episode 1 Bbc co uk 2 November 2012 Retrieved 30 October 2013 Oddie Bill Kate Humble Simon King Stephen Moss 2007 Springwatch and Autumnwatch London Collins pp 256 p col ill col ports 26 cm ISBN 978 0 00 724706 6 Live TV has never been so green BBC Two Winterwatch 27 January 2021 Retrieved 14 March 2021 Past Winners and Nominees Children s Awards 2006 BAFTA Retrieved 13 January 2010 Past Winners and Nominees Children s Awards 2007 BAFTA Retrieved 13 January 2010 External links editSpringwatch at BBC Online nbsp Autumnwatch website Winterwatch website Feature article in The Guardian June 2005 Springwatch at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Springwatch amp oldid 1188028250, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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