RSPB Arne comes alive at this time of year with rare breeding birds, specialised heathland insects and all six of the UK’s native species of reptiles.

Set against the backdrop of Poole Harbour, RSPB Arne seems to have it all. Famous for its wide-open heathlands where reptiles roam, Springwatch will be exploring ancient oak woodlands, farmland and reedbeds. If that wasn’t enough, mudflats, scrub, wet woodland and acid grassland are just some of the habitats where the huge variety of wildlife which call Arne home can be found.

Corfe Castle

Three miles south of Arne stand the towering remains of the Norman Corfe Castle, Britain’s most iconic and evocative survivor of the English Civil War. Here mating peregrines have claimed a raven’s nest atop its 20-metre high walls and television viewers are able to get amazing first-hand of these iconic birds footage thanks to one of the coolest nest cams in the programme’s history.

Skomer

Springwatch heads to Skomer, to discover why this puffin breeding ground is thriving, and learn how it could help others across the UK. They also get in the water with the puffins to learn what sociable birds they are.

Llyn Peninsula in Wales

Just off the Llyn peninsula in Wales, the sea bed hides danger at every turn. From cunning giant weavers, to jostling crabs, and a critically endangered angel shark, every mound of shifting sand can hide a hungry mouth. Springwatch spends a day in this fascinating and often hidden environment, as we follow an unassuming goby fish navigating its hostile world.   

Southern England

In the sandy, treeless heaths of Southern England, mires and pools form part of the landscape as a rare green-eyed amphibian ventures out of his winter burrow. Having not been seen in these parts for the last 50 years, the Natterjack toad is a welcome sight.

North Dorset chalk grasslands

In the chalk grasslands of North Dorset, one butterfly caterpillar is emerging from a long hibernation. The Marsh Fritillary. But the early Spring weather has been unkind as they battle to feed and absorb enough energy from the sun – can they last the distance? 

Eryri in Wales

Eryri in Wales is home to a temperate rainforest, one of the rarest and most biodiverse habitats in the UK. Listen to the sounds of species whose voices we are at risk of losing altogether from our natural soundscape.

Highlands

Springwatch will be in the Highlands to meet PHD researcher Jack Bamber who has dedicated the last four years to preventing capercaillie numbers from falling whilst simultaneously leaving their biggest nest predator, the protected pine marten, importantly unharmed. Discover his new revolutionary – and successful – strategy to divert the pine martens.

Isle of Bute

Springwatch presenter Megan McCubbin, as part of her Scottish tour, will be heading to the Isle of Bute to watch the impressive hunting habits of Ospreys that return each year to breed

Argaty Rewilding Estate, Perthshire

As well as the majestic red kites that call this working farm home, viewers will also learn the difference beavers have made to the landscape – and maybe get to see them too.

Glasgow

The final week of the Scottish Springwatch tour will take Megan to Glasgow. Here she’ll be uncovering and discovering the urban wildlife that can be found in one of Scotland’s most industrious cities. Cameras will be trained on peregrine falcons nesting in tower tops and the iconic water voles hidden away in the undergrowth, as well as featuring fascinating new science and research taking place in the heart of the city.

London

Now London might not be what you were expecting as a location for Springwatch, but award-winning photographer Matt Maran has made it his mission to uncover and document the lives of London’s urban foxes.

Find out more about Springwatch

• Springwatch 2024 wildlife: meet the wildlife species starring in this year’s Springwatch
• How is Springwatch filmed? We go behind the scenes