Latest news with #MichaelaStrachan
Irish Post
5 days ago
- 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."
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Gutted BBC fans complain ‘I can't believe it's the last one!' as beloved series wraps with final episode - and won't return for an entire year
Gutted BBC fans complained 'I can't believe it's the last one!' as a beloved series wraped with its final episode and won't return for an entire year. Presented by Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan, Springwatch usually airs on BBC Two at 8pm from Monday to Thursday. The latest series began on May 26 and has been gripping viewers with updates on the wildlife at National Trust 's Longshaw Estate in the Peak District. However, Thursday's instalment of the longstanding programme saw the season come to a close. Michaela opened up the live show and said: 'Hello and welcome to Springwatch.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Chris then appeared on camera and joked if he had let Michaela present alone 'it would just be fluffy owlets'. He said: 'Hello, yes, we're live at the Longshaw Estate here by the National Trust, in the Peak District National Park for the very last time because this is the end.' 'Well, it's not the end of everything, it's merely the end of our series and we're going out with a bang because tonight we're bringing you a new nest, a dinosaur nest, not live, obviously,' Chris went on. 'As Chris said, it is our last night of the series, it always goes so quickly doesn't it, and we will be celebrating the cast that is still remaining because obviously a lot of them have already fledged,' Michaela added. Some fans were devastated that the series was over and took to social media to express their dismay. One posted on X: 'Thank you #Springwatch it's been fantastic! Missing you already… Hurry back. Looking forward to #Winterwatch now.' 'Another fantastic series. #Springwatch is the epitome of relaxing, watchable telly that's engaging and informative. Shame it has to come to an end.' 'As the titles rolled, I stood and applauded and shed a little tear. I've already bought a animal cam and will be building a pond. Thanks team.' However, Thursday's instalment of the long-standing programme saw the season come to a close. Some fans were devastated that the series was over and took to social media to express their dismay 'I'm always quite sad when #Springwatch finishes for another year… Bring back #AutumnWatch #BBC.' 'Those 3 weeks of #springwatch passed far too fast! Can't believe I didn't make it over to @nationaltrust Longshaw whilst the team were there.' 'I cant believe it's the last one already #springwatch.' The latest series has seen plenty of dramatic wildlife scenes that have left viewers shocked. One instalment of the popular nature programme saw the co-presenters look at footage of a tawny owl and songthrushes, before things took a turn for the worse. Chris recalled how on May 28, the songthrush chicks were doing well and had grown a lot over the course of a week. One of them decided to leave the nest while others stayed behind, which Chris described as a 'big mistake'. 'A little later on, we saw our tawny owl bringing a bird in to Spud, and when Spud jumps down into the box, you can see it's not just the bird, it is a fledgling songthrush,' he explained. Chris added that there was 'no proof' that the bird was the same that had just left the nest. Chris recalled how on May 28, the songthrush chicks were doing well and had grown a lot over the course of a week 'But what happened next at 11.06pm was the tawny owl returned and obviously it would come to this nest and grab those chicks,' he went on. 'Very rapidly it killed the chicks in the nest using its talons and then took hold of one of them and make its way out of the back of the nest.' The presenter clarified again: 'Like I say, no proof that this is Spud's parent of any kind. It could be another tawny owl, however I can tell you that these two nests are 250m apart so it's getting increasingly likely.' However, the scenes proved to be upsetting to some viewers who took to social media to share their thoughts.
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Springwatch final episode leaves fans 'sad' after 'savage' scenes
Springwatch viewers were left 'sad' as Springwatch came to a close for this year, with the long-running BBC programme ending its 2025 run BBC viewers were left feeling "sad" and emotional as Springwatch concluded its run for the year. The beloved series, marking its 20th anniversary in 2025, broadcasted its final episode. Presenters Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan said their goodbyes to the nests, while Iolo Williams finished his Northern Irish adventure. Fans expressed disbelief at how quickly the past three weeks had passed, with the team providing a comprehensive summary of various nests and their development. Following last year's cancellation of Autumnwatch due to budgetary constraints, this year's Springwatch kicked off on May 26, airing four times weekly from Monday to Thursday. One viewer lamented on X, "Last episode of #Springwatch tonight, I'm so sad," and another shared, "Last episode of #Springwatch tonight, three weeks have gone quick." Another fan commented, "I cant believe it's the last one already #springwatch," reports the Express. Additionally, a fourth enthusiast suggested online, "We do need a one-off special to celebrate 20 yrs of #Springwatch. With no #Autumnwatch, the savings the BBC have could be used for a one-off special to welcome back all the team & crew for a superb party and memories! Maybe aired across Xmas!". Springwatch has come under fire this week for broadcasting what some viewers have described as "savage" and "distressing" scenes involving a tawny owl and songthrushes. Chris Packham informed the audience that on May 28th, two songthrushes were seen caring for their chicks, which had grown significantly by the end of the week. Chris issued a cautionary note when one thrush left the nest, calling it a "big mistake." The programme then showed harrowing footage of a tawny owl preying on one of the songthrushes, followed by another clip where the owl was seen using its talons to kill the chicks in their nest. The graphic nature of these scenes did not sit well with many viewers, prompting strong reactions on social media. One disgruntled viewer expressed their hope for karmic retribution on X: "Hopefully owl falls out tree and dies #springwatch." Another lamented the fate of the thrushes with a sad post: "Oh no not the thrushes :( #springwatch." A third viewer criticised the show for causing upset among younger audiences: " Well done #springwatch Tens of thousands of children now crying and in distress! They're not all heartless like you. Horrible BBC."
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Springwatch viewers left 'crying and throwing up' by 'never before recorded' scenes of brutality that 'none of the BBC crew could work out'
Springwatch viewers were left 'crying and throwing up' by 'never before recorded' scenes of brutality that 'none of the BBC crew could work out'. Tuesday's instalment of the show saw Chris Packham and Michaela Stratchan return to our screens from Longshaw Estate in the Peak District. The pair gave viewers updates about the wildlife that they have been reporting on, and one particular segment about a nightjar nest left some feeling sick afterwards. They played out some footage of the night jar moving its head and a fascinated Michaela described it as 'robotic'. 'Franky it's bonkers,' Chris said. Michaela went on to say: 'Then of course, it's a nocturnal animal, so we had our infrared cameras on it and we saw something really astonishing, and really surprising. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Well, quite frankly, shocking.' Footage of the night jar then played out with Michaela explaining: 'There it is, feeding its chick. 'That's what it's doing. Beak in the beak of the chick. Feeding. 'Then as it stood up, we saw the egg of the second chick that had hatched. It's got two chicks in there as it flies off, flying off to get some food to bring back.' She continued: 'We were watching these chicks and it was absolutely delightful to watch them. 'Then as we say, we saw something really shocking. 'When the adult came back, we thought it was feeding the chick, then we saw the chick being picked up. 'It's still alive! And then the night jar swallowed the chick alive and whole. 'That had never been seen before. Never been recorded. No one could quite believe that it had done that. Those watching at home rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their shock over the shocking scenes 'None of us could work out why! But again, it's a rare sighting and we only saw that because we have those amazing infrared cameras.' Those watching at home were utterly shocked by what they watched on their screens. '#springwatch has really upset me tonight seeing the bird eat its own offspring. I've been crying and throwing up since watching it.' 'Not sure I was ready for that Nightjar clip #springwatch.' 'Some of the things I've seen on #springwatch are truly shocking. A nightjar eating its chick whole, shudders Nature can be brutal.' 'That nightjar clip was just shocking, why would it gobble down its own chick? We have no idea. #springwatch.' 'Woah hadn't seen that nightjar clip before #springwatch.' It comes after Springwatch has been bombarded with more complaints as viewers blasted the BBC for 'leaving thousands crying and in distress' with its harrowing scenes. Monday's instalment of the popular nature programme saw Chris Packham, 64, and Michaela Strachan, 59, discuss the wildlife at Longshaw Estate. Towards the start of the episode, the co-presenters looked at footage of a tawny owl and songthrushes, before things took a turn for the worse. Chris recalled how on May 28, the songthrush chicks were doing well and had grown a lot over the course of a week. One of them decided to leave the nest while others stayed behind, which Chris described as a 'big mistake'. 'A little later on, we saw our tawny owl bringing a bird in to Spud, and when Spud jumps down into the box, you can see it's not just the bird, it is a fledgling songthrush,' he explained. Chris added that there was 'no proof' that the bird was the same that had just left the nest. 'But what happened next at 11.06pm was the tawny owl returned and obviously it would come to this nest and grab those chicks,' he went on. 'Very rapidly it killed the chicks in the nest using its talons and then took hold of one of them and make its way out of the back of the nest.' The presenter clarified again: 'Like I say, no proof that this is Spud's parent of any kind. It could be another tawny owl, however I can tell you that these two nests are 250m apart so it's getting increasingly likely.' However, the scenes proved to be upsetting to some viewers who took to social media to share their thoughts. One watcher posted on X: 'Savage scenes on #springwatch.'; 'What a shame about the song thrush chicks, but an owl's gotta eat #springwatch.'; 'Oh no not the thrushes :( #springwatch.'; 'Well done #springwatch Tens of thousands of children now crying and in distress! They're not all heartless like you, horrible BBC.'; 'Woah Springwatch was carnage at the beginning, I'm surprised Spud can move let alone fly with all those chicks inside his belly! #springwatch.'; 'Sad part of nature…. That poor thrush nest with chicks, an owl took them.'; 'That was brutal but the owls have to do whatever is necessary to live #springwatch.' It comes after an episode last week left viewers horrified at 'hideous' cannibalism scenes that saw an animal pulled apart and eaten alive. Chris and Michaela returned to National Trust 's Longshaw Estate in the Peak District to give fans an update on a short-eared owl family. The pair introduced the grassland species and their nest during the first week of the brand new series. However, the scenes proved to be upsetting to some viewers who took to social media to share their thoughts Chris explained: 'Last week we introduced short-eared owl's nest that we had found, the first time we've shown you these birds live on Springwatch. 'Absolutely beautiful. There were six youngsters in the nest, but they started to disperse pretty much straightaway. 'We kept an eye on them and last night there were only two left in the nest area, although they were scuttling out and back again.' They then shared a clip of them doing so, with Chris explaining: 'Here they were yesterday, coming back into that nest. The other four that we know are there have spread out into the Heather. It's a way of avoiding predators. '[The] largest chick was screaming a lot, it was hungry, the adults delivered because they brought in two voles and then a pipit, which they had captured. 'Things is, it was only the large chick that was getting the food, it ate the two voles and swallowed the pipit hole.' He explained that they ended up bringing more food back, but the larger chick stole it. Michaela added: 'You may remember yesterday when we showed you the six chicks, there's a big size differences between the youngest and oldest one. 'They hatch at intervals, so the younger might be more than a week younger than the oldest chick in the nest, and very often if there's not enough pretty to go around, the younger one will perish. 'That is usually when they are very little. It seemed like they were all being fed and just yesterday I said that one was doing really well, but I'm afraid in that nest, things took a turn for the worse. 'And it really surprised us. It is a little bit shocking.' Springwatch then played the footage of the chick eating its sibling, with Michaela adding: 'As you can see, that little one became weak and defenseless and the stronger sibling took complete advantage. 'It started pecking at the younger one which was still alive and I'm really sorry to say, I know it's hard to watch... but it pecked it to death. 'That was really surprising for us. 'As Chris said, they were fed four times, the little one could have taken some of that food, the bigger one took it, plenty of prey around, they were branching out, old enough to survive. We thought all of them were going to survive. 'But very sadly as you can see, that younger one didn't. It died. 'The older one made the most of it. It got rid of its sibling and it was very very hard to watch.' Springwatch airs on BBC Two and is available to stream on iPlayer.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Springwatch bombarded with MORE complaints as viewers blast 'horrible, heartless' BBC for 'leaving thousands crying and in distress' with harrowing scenes
Springwatch has been bombarded with more complaints as viewers blasted the BBC for 'leaving thousands crying and in distress' with its harrowing scenes. Monday's instalment of the popular nature programme saw Chris Packham, 64, and Michaela Strachan, 59, discuss the wildlife at Longshaw Estate. Towards the start of the episode, the co-presenters looked at footage of a tawny owl and songthrushes, before things took a turn for the worse. Chris recalled how on May 28, the songthrush chicks were doing well and had grown a lot over the course of a week. One of them decided to leave the nest while others stayed behind, which Chris described as a 'big mistake'. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'A little later on, we saw our tawny owl bringing a bird in to Spud, and when Spud jumps down into the box, you can see it's not just the bird, it is a fledgling songthrush,' he explained. Chris added that there was 'no proof' that the bird was the same that had just left the nest. 'But what happened next at 11.06pm was the tawny owl returned and obviously it would come to this nest and grab those chicks,' he went on. 'Very rapidly it killed the chicks in the nest using its talons and then took hold of one of them and make its way out of the back of the nest.' The presenter clarified again: 'Like I say, no proof that this is Spud's parent of any kind. It could be another tawny owl, however I can tell you that these two nests are 250m apart so it's getting increasingly likely.' However, the scenes proved to be upsetting to some viewers who took to social media to share their thoughts. One watcher posted on X: 'Savage scenes on #springwatch.'; 'What a shame about the song thrush chicks, but an owl's gotta eat #springwatch.'; 'Oh no not the thrushes :( #springwatch.'; 'Well done #springwatch Tens of thousands of children now crying and in distress! They're not all heartless like you, horrible BBC.'; 'Woah Springwatch was carnage at the beginning, I'm surprised Spud can move let alone fly with all those chicks inside his belly! #springwatch.'; 'Sad part of nature…. That poor thrush nest with chicks, an owl took them.'; 'That was brutal but the owls have to do whatever is necessary to live #springwatch.' It comes after an episode last week left viewers horrified at 'hideous' cannibalism scenes that saw an animal pulled apart and eaten alive. Chris and Michaela returned to National Trust 's Longshaw Estate in the Peak District to give fans an update on a short-eared owl family. The pair introduced the grassland species and their nest during the first week of the brand new series. However, the scenes proved to be upsetting to some viewers who took to social media to share their thoughts Chris explained: 'Last week we introduced short-eared owl's nest that we had found, the first time we've shown you these birds live on Springwatch. 'Absolutely beautiful. There were six youngsters in the nest, but they started to disperse pretty much straightaway. 'We kept an eye on them and last night there were only two left in the nest area, although they were scuttling out and back again.' They then shared a clip of them doing so, with Chris explaining: 'Here they were yesterday, coming back into that nest. The other four that we know are there have spread out into the Heather. It's a way of avoiding predators. '[The] largest chick was screaming a lot, it was hungry, the adults delivered because they brought in two voles and then a pipit, which they had captured. 'Things is, it was only the large chick that was getting the food, it ate the two voles and swallowed the pipit hole.' He explained that they ended up bringing more food back, but the larger chick stole it. Michaela added: 'You may remember yesterday when we showed you the six chicks, there's a big size differences between the youngest and oldest one. 'They hatch at intervals, so the younger might be more than a week younger than the oldest chick in the nest, and very often if there's not enough pretty to go around, the younger one will perish. 'That is usually when they are very little. It seemed like they were all being fed and just yesterday I said that one was doing really well, but I'm afraid in that nest, things took a turn for the worse. 'And it really surprised us. It is a little bit shocking.' Springwatch then played the footage of the chick eating its sibling, with Michaela adding: 'As you can see, that little one became weak and defenseless and the stronger sibling took complete advantage. 'It started pecking at the younger one which was still alive and I'm really sorry to say, I know it's hard to watch... but it pecked it to death. 'That was really surprising for us. 'As Chris said, they were fed four times, the little one could have taken some of that food, the bigger one took it, plenty of prey around, they were branching out, old enough to survive. We thought all of them were going to survive. 'But very sadly as you can see, that younger one didn't. It died. 'The older one made the most of it. It got rid of its sibling and it was very very hard to watch.' Springwatch airs on BBC Two and is available to stream on iPlayer.
