The essential episodes of Springwatch
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Springwatch — each pick states its reason.
- 01
- 02
A new format of the annual wildlife series in keeping with Covid-19 lockdown conditions, which sees the presenters broadcasting live from locations around the UK. Chris Packham is in the New Forest, Iolo William is in the heart of west Wales, and Gillian Burke is at the Beaver project near her home in Cornwall. In this first episode, they are joined by guest presenter Steve Backshall at his home on the banks of the Thames. Plus, Michaela Strachan calls live from South Africa to present some of her favourite moments from past series.
- 03
Chris Packham, Gillian Burke and Iolo Williams are live again close to home in the New Forest, West Wales and Cornwall, and cameras follow the fortunes of bird families in the Somerset levels and in the wild and rugged Brecon Beacons. With no boat traffic on the Thames, Steve Backshall witnesses beautiful aquatic insect hatches providing food for a host of birds such as swallows and red kites, while intrepid sound recordist Gary Moore records the incredible Urban Dawn Chorus of songbirds which have been such a feature of Spring 2020.
- 04
Live from their home bases in the New Forest, Cornwall, West Wales and the River Thames, Chris Packham, Gillian Burke, Iolo Williams and Steve Backshall share the latest stories from the wildlife cameras. Chris reveals how fish have more ways of making sound than any other vertebrate on the planet, Iolo discusses the intimate secrets of the bird families he has been following in his own back garden, and Michaela Strachan relives the dramatic story of a very skilful stoat in Minsmere in 2016. There is also the extraordinary spectacle of the firework sea anemone, and a rare reef made by beautiful peacock worms.
- 05
The team reviews the extraordinary events that have taken place during the week, as Gillian Burke looks back at her time with the Beaver family in Cornwall, Chris Packham reveals the extraordinary transformation young salmon perform and Iolo Williams reveals the latest findings about the mysterious migrations of Short Eared Owls. Plus, Steve Backshallintroduces his young two-year-old son to a local family of swans.
- 06
The team examines the mental health benefits of nature, and follows the fortunes of Choughs in West Wales. Gordon Buchanan focuses on Scottish Ospreys in Loch Lomond National Park, while Chris Packham shares an extraordinary story of how a love of birds united English POWs and German Officers during the Second World War.
- 07
Springwatch is back to wrap us in the comfort blanket that only the natural world can bring. Sit back and relax as we showcase the very best of the season's wildlife across the UK.Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan bring us an abundance of live nest cameras, and all the spring dramas that come with them, from Wild Ken Hill in Norfolk. Iolo Williams returns to the Isle of Mull to delights us with eagles, otters and orca, while Megan McCubbin will be taking us on a spring road trip around the north east of England, visiting Kielder Forest, Hauxley Nature Reserve and Newcastle city centre to reveal the wildlife that call these places home in spring.
- 08
Springwatch is bringing live wildlife action from across the UK. We have cameras poised to allow us a live and privileged view into the springtime dramas of our nesting birds, from Norfolk, the Isle of Mull and the north east of England.Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan delight us with some exceptionally rare views of the lesser spotted woodpecker, Iolo Williams is out tracking adders on Mull, while Megan McCubbin gets to ring some new arrivals in a tawny owl nest.
- 09
We're covering a whole host of wildlife bases, from reptiles to mammals, birds to insects. Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan broadcast live from Wild Ken Hill in Norfolk, while Iolo Williams continues to bring the very best behaviours from Mull's wild residents.Meanwhile, Megan McCubbin has her eyes set on exploring Coquet Island, a seabird sanctuary just off the coastline of north east England that is home to roseate terns, puffins and much more.
- 10
We take a look at the beauty of a green, iridescent, overlooked invertebrate as well as a fascinating insight into the family dynamics of the long-tailed tits in spring.Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan take us behind the scenes in Norfolk, showing us the inner workings of our live nest cameras. Iolo Williams is searching out seals on the Isle of Mull, and Megan McCubbin continues her seabird spectacle, looking at the spring visitors to Coquet Island on the Northumberland coast.
- 11
Tonight's Springwatch is a hive of activity, from busy bees to the latest fledglings, jumping spiders to allotment visitors.Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan are poised to deliver the latest live action from our nests in Norfolk, while Iolo Williams is exploring Mull's wildlife wonders. Megan McCubbin spends the evening on an allotment in Newcastle and meets some friendly owners who tell her all about their frequent wildlife sightings.
- 12
In the penultimate episode, all eyes are on the Norfolk nests. Will all of the chicks fledge successfully before the end of the series? The race is on, and the tension is palpable as Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan are on fledge watch.We have special guests on the programme as Flock Together join us to explain the importance of spending time in the natural world. Iolo Williams is in search of some of Mull's most majestic marine animals, while Megan McCubbin continues her urban adventures in Newcastle. In fact, she's up early to experience an urban dawn chorus.
- 13
Springwatch is back to sprinkle a little sunshine on the season. Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams are in Dorset, and Megan McCubbin is on the Isle of Bute.
- 14
For its 20th year, Springwatch is back in two new locations, with new wildlife characters and nests never featured before.
- 15
Springwatch returns for three weeks of seasonal splendour, live from the brand new location of National Trust Crom in Northern Ireland and the Knepp Estate in Sussex.
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