Latest news with #Winterwatch
Irish Post
15-06-2025
- Irish Post
Mount Stewart in Co. Down announced as main location for BBC's Winterwatch 2026
MOUNT STEWART, the 19th century house and garden on the shores of Strangford Lough in Co. Down, has been announced as the main location for the BBC's Winterwatch 2026. Across four nights in early January, presenters Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams will share the latest wildlife updates from the National Trust site. With 10,000 recorded species, the location will offer plenty of opportunities to spot the local wildlife and bring viewers the beauty and drama of the winter natural world. "Beautiful and teeming with wildlife, Mount Stewart is the perfect location for Winterwatch," said Jack Bootle, BBC Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual. "We're delighted to be working with the National Trust to bring this amazing part of Northern Ireland to audiences across the UK." Wintery woodland Winter stories from Mount Stewart will include the local red squirrels, pine martens and badgers as they venture out into the wintery woodland. Thousands of songbirds arrive nearby, allowing viewers to watch the large flocks of linnet, goldfinch and redwing that descend to devour the estate's abundance of seeds and berries. Bordering Mount Stewart, Strangford Lough is the largest sea lough in the Britain and Ireland. It's famous for its wintering waterfowl, with many ducks and geese feeding on the rich grassland. Live cameras will be located across the site while the show will also bring pre-filmed seasonal stories from across Britain. There will be plenty of opportunities for viewers to interact, get involved and share their own winter wildlife encounters. "We are thrilled to be hosting the team at Mount Stewart in January," said Jenny Ferguson, General Manager for the National Trust at Mount Stewart. "We are excited to tell more stories about the wide range of wildlife which makes their home here on the shores of Strangford Lough and across the wider demesne, plus the challenges nature and our teams face in adapting to the changing climate and more regular and extreme weather events."
BBC News
13-06-2025
- BBC News
Mount Stewart: BBC Winterwatch to host 2025 show at County Down estate
Mount Stewart in County Down will be the venue for Winterwatch 2026, the BBC has woodlands, farmland fields, hedgerows and ponds are home to about 10,000 recorded species, and its location on the shores of Strangford Lough will allow viewers plenty of opportunity to spot winter National Trust site suffered massive tree loss during Storm Éowyn in January estate team has also made plans to protect its plants and gardens from the predicted effects of climate change. The Springwatch 2025 team has already spent the past week at Mount Stewart and will return for four nights in early January. 'The perfect location' Presenters Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams will be finding out about the latest wildlife updates, with red squirrels, pine martens and badgers all expected to put in an like the linnet, goldfinch and redwing are also frequent visitors to the estate for its berries and seeds. Jack Bootle, the BBC's head of specialist factual commissioning, said Mount Stewart was "beautiful and teeming with wildlife", making it the "perfect" location for Winterwatch."We're delighted to be working with the National Trust and our partners at the Open University to bring this amazing part of Northern Ireland to audiences across the UK," he said. Live cameras Live cameras will be set up across the site and viewers from across the UK will be able to get involved in the programmes."We know how much BBC audiences will enjoy getting to see more of Mount Stewart and its wildlife," said BBC Northern Ireland's director Adam Smyth."We are delighted to be working with BBC Studios and the Natural History Unit in bringing this large-scale BBC outside broadcast to Northern Ireland," he said."It should be a perfect start to the new television year." The estate's general manager, Jenny Ferguson, said her team was "thrilled" to be welcoming the Winterwatch team back in January."We are excited to tell more stories about the wide range of wildlife which makes their home here on the shores of Strangford Lough and across the wider demesne, plus the challenges nature and our teams face in adapting to the changing climate and more regular and extreme weather events," she added.
The Irish Sun
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Springwatch viewers furiously slam show as they demand bosses warn them before grisly scenes
SPRINGWATCH viewers have slammed the show and demanded bosses warn them before grisly scenes. next - which was first shown last week. Advertisement 4 Countryfile featued an update on a short-eared owl's nest Credit: BBC 4 Viewers have demanded a warning before grisly scenes Credit: BBC 4 Chris and Michaela revealed the developments to viewers Credit: BBC However, the BBC show faced viewer backlash following scenes of one animal's demise. Chris explained: "There were six youngsters in the nest " and added: "Last night there were only two left in the nest ." The other four had spread out in a bid to avoid capture by predators. Meanwhile, Michaela admitted the team was "really surprised" upon telling viewers how one chick ate its sibling. Advertisement Read more on Springwatch This occurred after "nights of hunger" and the younger chick became "weak and defenceless". Viewers were horrified by the disturbing scenes and soon shared their reactions on social media. One wrote: "Baby owl eating its sibling alive ffs. Give us a 5-minute warning next time." Another penned: "Ffs that was didn't die and get eaten, it was pulled apart alive poor thing." Advertisement Most read in News TV A third chimed in: "Oh no, the owl chick eating its sibling whilst still alive. Horrible." While a fourth commented: "Oh my was grim, poor baby." Michaela Strachan looks worlds away from Springwatch as she celebrates family wedding Earlier this year, Michaela, 59, Admitting they are sometimes opposites in their presenting styles, Advertisement "Last year I had to really fight my corner — a buzzard pecked its sibling to death and chucked it out of the nest onto the ground. "Chris and the team wanted to put a camera on all the beasts that were eating it. Everything you need to know about Springwatch Springwatch began in 2005 and showcases British wildlife during the changing of the seasons in the United Kingdom It's presented by Chris and Michaela joined the show from 2009 and 2011 onwards, respectively Just like last year, the long-running series is broadcasting live from RSPB Arne in Dorset A total of 19 series have aired to date, with the 20th edition now on air on BBC Two The show's popularity over the years spawned spin-offs Autumnwatch and Winterwatch Autumnwatch began as a one-off, but was expanded into its own series from 2006 to 2022 Last year, the Beeb cancelled Autumnwatch citing budget concerns and having a smaller audience than its counterparts The original presenting line-up for Springwatch included comedian and conservationist Bill Oddie, television presenter Kate Humble and naturalist Simon King Bill, known for his work with The Goodies, exited the programme in 2008, followed by Simon in 2010 and Kate in 2011 "He was saying, 'It's really interesting.' I said, 'Yes, but it's a step too far. Our audience has invested in that little chick, we don't need to see it now being decimated with a slow-mo camera.' "In the end we didn't have room for the footage." Advertisement Michaela added: "You've got to keep it a little bit positive.' Springwatch airs on BBC Two and iPlayer. 4 Fans shared their horrified reactions on social media Credit: BBC
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
UK's oldest wild White-tailed Eagle dies aged 32
The UK's oldest wild White-tailed Eagle has died aged 32, RSPB Scotland has announced. The eagle, a female named Frisa, hatched in Mull in 1992, where she spent almost three decades raising chicks, becoming a regular on TV nature programmes. She was the daughter of Blondie, who successfully raised the first White-tailed Eagle chick to fledge in Scotland following the reintroduction of the species in 1975. Frisa paired up with her long-time mate Skye in 1997, with the pair raising their first chick in Mull the following year. They went on to raise 25 chicks during 28 years of partnership. In May 2005, Frisa and Skye made their television debut on the first ever episode of BBC's Springwatch alongside their chicks Itchy and Scratchy – named by the pupils of Dervaig Primary School in Mull. Over the next two decades they made many more appearances on the programme, as well as featuring on Autumnwatch, Winterwatch, Blue Peter, Eagle Island with Gordon Buchanan, Countryfile and The One Show. Frisa's death was announced on the latest episode of Springwatch on Monday. RSPB Ambassador Dave Sexton, who spent 21 years working with White-tailed Eagles in Mull, said Frisa had been "a very special bird who had touched the hearts of millions who saw her both on TV and in the wild". He added: "As Frisa got on in years, I dreaded the day I would visit her territory and find her gone. "Sadly, that day has come and I feel like I've lost a friend. "She was a true icon for White-tailed Eagles and she'll always hold a special place in my heart." Frisa has not been seen since last year, leading experts to believe that died of either natural causes or following an altercation with another eagle. Skye has been spotted with another younger female eagle in Mull, which is strong evidence of Frisa's death as White-tailed Eagles usually mate for life. It means that Skye, who hatched in 1994, is now the oldest wild White-tailed Eagle in the UK at 31-years-old. The species became extinct in the UK in 1918, when the last known native wild bird was shot in Shetland. However, a reintroduction project by NatureScot in the Isle of Rum, which began in 1975 using chicks donated from Norway, has seen White-tailed Eagles re-establish a self-sustaining population in Scotland. There are now estimated to be up to 200 pairs in the UK. White-tailed eagles spend a year caring for injured chick Rare white-tailed eagles thrill nature lovers Footage reveals 'miracle eagle chick' in flight
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC Springwatch's Chris Packham's relationship issues and how he once 'loathed' himself
BBC Springwatch's Chris Packham's relationship issues and how he once 'loathed' himself Chris Packham has been a mainstay of the BBC's nature coverage for more than a decade, but his life has been far from plain sailing Chris Packham is back on Springwatch (Image: PA ) Chris Packham, the renowned naturalist and familiar face of BBC's nature programmes, has been a staple on Springwatch and Winterwatch for over a decade. In addition to his television work, Chris is also an accomplished author and has contributed to several other TV shows, including The Really Wild Show and Birdwatch. He is currently back on screens on BBC Two for the 2025 series of Springwatch. The 64-year-old has also raised awareness for autism, which he was diagnosed with later in life and has recently reacted to comments from a Trump ally who claims to be able to "uncover the root cause of autism". Discussing US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr's comments, on ITV's Good Morning Britain, the presenter said he had "mixed feelings" about RFK Jr looking for a cause to what he described as an "autism epidemic". He said: "Firstly, there's no epidemic. What we have done is we've created a wider awareness of this condition (autism) and therefore more people are able, hopefully, to access help. And that has to be seen as a very, very positive thing. "Because people are learning about these conditions on social media, which we all use every day, that's not a bad thing. That's opening our eyes to the fact that these conditions are real and they need addressing and support. "The second thing, as a scientist, I would love to know what has made me an autistic person. My curiosity is in that direction." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Article continues below It wasn't until 2005 when, aged 44, Chris Packham sought therapy, which led to his Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis, which is a form of autism. Drawn from his personal diaries, it's apparent Chris recognised signs of autism long before receiving his formal diagnosis, one that proved transformative for him. In conversation with ITV's Good Morning Britain, he reflected: "I grew up in the sixties and seventies when the condition wasn't widely known, certainly by my parents and teachers. "So, by the time I'd got to the beginning of my teens, and certainly into the early part of my 20s, my mental health issues were quite considerable. "I loathed myself, I thought that I was broken. Clearly, I was in a lesser cohort than most other people, so I blamed myself for everything that was going wrong." Chris has spoken openly about his autism diagnosis (Image: Getty Images ) Chris discussed his struggles in the 2017 documentary film, Aspergers And Me, and he later spearheaded a BBC series titled Inside Our Autistic Minds. In this series, Chris assisted a group of autistic individuals in making short films to communicate with their loved ones how they truly feel and what is occurring within their autistic minds. Born on May 4, 1961, Chris spent his childhood in Southampton. He attended Bitterne Park Secondary School and Taunton's College before pursuing a zoology degree at the University of Southampton. After university, Chris embarked on a career as a wildlife cameraman, which eventually led to his transition into presenting in the 80s. His first major role was on the children's wildlife programme, The Really Wild Show, in 1986. The star landed a BBC presenting gig for Springwatch in 2009 and has since fronted a variety of documentaries, including Chris Packham: Is It Time to Break the Law?, Dogs in the Wild: Meet the Family, and Chris Packham: A Walk That Made Me. Something that might be news to many is that his sibling is among the UK's most prominent designers, with quite the portfolio of celebrity clientele. Jenny Packham, celebrating over three decades with her own brand, has seen her designs grace the silver screen in James Bond features Die Another Day and Casino Royale, as well as being showcased on hit series like Sex and the City and Gossip Girl. Her creations have been donned by the Duchess of Cambridge, not least the dazzling golden dress at the No Time To Die premiere. Stars such as Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Aniston, and Keira Knightley have also chosen Jenny's designs for their wardrobe. Chris has found love with Charlotte Corney, who owns and operates Wildheart Animal Sanctuary. The pair have openly expressed that they have no intention to marry or live together. Chris with his partner Charlotte Corney (Image: Daily Mirror ) On The Different Minds podcast, when queried about potential marriage plans, Chris responded: "I would say no. It's all about animals at the moment, we have to concentrate on them. Her tigers are old, my dog Scratchy is old. It's not about us, we have to get through this period basically of aged animals." In conversation with The Guardian regarding how his autism diagnosis in his 40s impacted his relationship, Chris shared insights into why his partnership with Charlotte remained strong, distinguishing it from past relationships that typically ended after five to seven years. He remarked: "They all reached their full term because, as much as I was dealing socially with my neurodiversity, I wasn't dealing with it at home. I couldn't let my guard down and that was always very challenging for my partners. "I have slightly better control of my obsessive personality now. That means I don't totally expose Charlotte to my obsessions and force her to be part of them, which is what I did in past relationships – while at the same time being pretty unforgiving when partners wanted me to do anything they valued and I didn't." Chris Packham, who was previously married to NHS nurse Jo McCubbin, remains close with Megan McCubbin, Jo's daughter from a previous relationship. Meg often joins Chris on his TV shows, including Springwatch. While Chris's precise residence in the New Forest is a well-guarded secret, he is thought to dwell in a quaint cottage accompanied by his two beloved dogs, Sid and Nancy. Article continues below In October, 2021, the wildlife expert disclosed that his Land Rover had been maliciously blown up right outside his Hampshire abode gate. He has also been subjected to death threats in the past, received human faeces mailed to his house, and found dead crows affixed to his New Forest home's fence.
