Spring has very truly sprung, and we all know what that means – Springwatch is back! This award-winning institution of British television returns to our screens for three weeks in late May and early June.
As usual, there will be plenty of live wildlife cameras on the go, and pre-recorded films featuring nature lovers, cultural stories, species and landscapes from around the UK. And following their previous successes, the Mindful Moments films will return – 90 seconds of beautiful nature to absorb and savour. It’s time to sit back and relax, and enjoy the best spring wildlife our country has to offer.
When is Springwatch on TV?
Springwatch returns to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer at 8pm on Monday 30 May for three weeks.
Who is presenting Springwatch?
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams are back as regular presenters, and Megan McCubbin is stepping in for Gillian Burke this series.
Where will Springwatch be visiting?
Chris and Michaela will be based at Wild Ken Hill, a rewilding and regenerative agriculture project in west Norfolk with wetlands, farmland and woodland, and home to marsh harriers, lapwings, beavers and more.
Iolo has been sent up to the Isle of Mull, off the western coast of Scotland to find white-tailed and golden eagles, adders, otters and seabirds such as guillemots and razorbills.
Megan will be setting off on a road trip across northern England, visiting Kielder Forest for ospreys, water voles and dark skies, Hauxley Nature Reserve for red squirrels, stoats and songbirds and the nearby Coquet Island for roseate terns and puffins, and Newcastle for kittiwakes, foxes and hedeghogs.
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There will be additional films on a variety of species, including badgers, cuttlefish and great horseshoe bats.
“The new season of Springwatch is promising to be a wildlife packed snapshot of the UK during the peak of the breeding season,” says Rosemary Edwards, Executive Producer of Springwatch. “We are hoping to celebrate the lives of some of our most fascinating species as they bring us stories of survival in their battle to bring up their young.”
“This series will give viewers the opportunity to take full advantage of the restorative power of nature through our Mindful Moments segments, which gives a unique visual and sounds experience. Audiences will also have the chance to learn more about our amazing animal families through real stories, told in real time through our exclusive Springwatch live camera access.”
Can’t wait for the new series of @BBCSpringwatch to air! Starting on 30th May, for 3 weeks, I will be sharing some pretty special footage from #YewView. It has been the most incredible experience and privilege to witness this amazing story & wonderful to be able to share it. pic.twitter.com/d3bvwHdUuS
— WildlifeKate (@katemacrae) May 12, 2022
What is the Spring Watchlist?
The Spring Watchlist is a list of signs of spring for Springwatch viewers to look out and share on social media (using the hashtag #SpringWatchlist).
Learn more about identifying spring wildlife:
- How to identify spring bees
- How to identify birds on the move in spring
- How to identify similar-looking spring wildflowers
- How to identify spring hedgerow species
- How to identify river wildlife in spring
Springwatch at the BAFTAS
In June 2021, Springwatch won the Live Event Award at the BAFTAS for the programme in May and June 2020 and the way that the team had managed to put together the series despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Springwatch was shortlisted for the event again at 2022 BAFTAS, with the award being given to the Earthshot Prize for the inaugural prize ceremony in October 2021.
It wasn't a BAFTA win for Live Event but we are thrilled to have been nominated! A big thank you to all of you for watching ???? Congratulations to the awesome winners @EarthshotPrize. We share a passion for protecting our natural world ????
— BBC Springwatch (@BBCSpringwatch) May 8, 2022
???? Pete Quinn on Flickr pic.twitter.com/XzUUfrTQF2
Main image: Two European badger cubs foraging under bracken in oak woods, Ashdown Forest, Sussex, England, UK. © James Warwick/Getty