Springwatch 2025: BBC celebrates 20 years with new locations and spotlight on NI’s rich wildlife

Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan

Image: BBC Studios/Olli Hillyer-Riley

The BBC’s beloved Springwatch returns to screens on Monday, 26 May 2025, for its 20th anniversary, promising three weeks of captivating live broadcasts that showcase the UK’s rich biodiversity.

This year, the programme, produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit in partnership with The Open University, will air on BBC Two and iPlayer, featuring two new locations: the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate in the Peak District and a pioneering nature trek across Northern Ireland.

With presenters Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, and Iolo Williams at the helm, Springwatch 2025 will blend cutting-edge wildlife footage, audience interaction, and conservation stories, with a special focus on Northern Ireland’s diverse ecosystems.

A Milestone Year for Springwatch

Marking two decades since its debut on 30 May 2005, Springwatch has become a cornerstone of British wildlife broadcasting, renowned for its innovative use of live nest cameras and its commitment to showcasing the UK’s natural world.

“In many ways, Springwatch has not changed over 20 years. It has always been ambitious and always remained true to its initial intentions to provide a festival of wildlife that celebrates the greatest animal stories across the busiest part of the spring season,” said Rosemary Edwards, Executive Producer.

This year, the programme continues its legacy with new habitats, new species, and a renewed focus on engaging younger audiences and urban communities.

Broadcasting live from 26 May to 12 June, Monday to Thursday at 8pm, the series will feature an array of live nest cameras, pre-recorded films, and interactive segments, capturing the unpredictable beauty of spring.

From the moorland curlews of Longshaw to the golden hares of Rathlin Island, Springwatch 2025 aims to inspire viewers to connect with nature in their own backyards.

Longshaw Estate: A Peak District Wildlife Haven

Nestled on the eastern edge of the Peak District, Britain’s first National Park, the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate will serve as the primary base for presenters Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan.

This upland habitat, alive with activity in spring, offers a fresh canvas for Springwatch’s live cameras, spotlighting species never before featured on the programme. Red Listed ring ouzels and whinchats, moorland curlews, and the world’s only aquatic songbird, the dipper, are among the anticipated stars.

The eerie drumming of snipe and the nocturnal roosts of eight bat species will add to the estate’s allure.

Craig Best, General Manager at the National Trust in the Peak District, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration:

“We are delighted to welcome the Springwatch team to Longshaw for the 20th anniversary of the series. I’m really looking forward to seeing the incredible wildlife you can find in the Peak District become the stars of the show this year.”

The estate’s diverse woodlands, grasslands, rivers, and moorlands support a rich variety of life, from badger clans to mountain hares and red deer, offering viewers a window into a landscape shaped by conservation efforts.

Chris Packham highlighted the unique appeal of Longshaw:

“The species mix there will be very different from what we’ve been exploring for the last few seasons in the south of England, in the lowland area. In Longshaw, there are some key species that we’ll be hoping to meet like curlew, merlin, and red start, all of which are very exciting.”

The unpredictability of nature, he added, is what fuels the programme’s magic: “It’s the unpredictable stuff that brings real joy.”

Northern Ireland: Iolo Williams’ Wildlife Odyssey

Iolo Williams

Image: BBC Studios/Jo Charlesworth

A highlight of Springwatch 2025 is Iolo Williams’ three-week nature trek across Northern Ireland, marking the programme’s first extended exploration of the region’s wildlife. Broadcasting live from three distinct locations—Belfast, Rathlin Island, and Mount Stewart—Williams will showcase Northern Ireland’s remarkable biodiversity, from urban oases to remote island sanctuaries.

Week 1: Belfast’s Urban Wildlife

Starting in Belfast, Williams will uncover the surprising wildlife thriving in Northern Ireland’s capital. Despite its urban sprawl, Belfast harbours a wealth of species, from nesting terns on specially designed rafts to feeding waders along the harbourside.

“I’m really looking forward to going into Belfast to look at some of the urban wildlife there. They’ve got some amazing things and it’s very exciting,” Williams said.

He will also meet local conservationists working to keep Belfast “wonderfully wild,” highlighting how urban environments can support thriving ecosystems.

For many viewers, this focus on urban wildlife underscores the accessibility of nature, as Williams noted:

“Most people now live in towns and in cities. It’s great for us to show things like golden eagles and white-tailed eagles, but wildlife for most people is what they see in their gardens or in their local parks.”

Beyond wildlife, Williams added a light-hearted goal:

“I’m also really excited about trying out some Irish whiskeys. I like my whiskey. I know my Scottish whiskeys very well and in Belfast, I’m hoping I find a nice little pub and try one or two Irish whiskeys.”

This personal touch reflects Springwatch’s knack for blending science with relatable storytelling.

Week 2: Rathlin Island’s Biodiversity Hotspot

In week two, Williams will take the ferry to Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland’s northernmost point and a biodiversity haven.

Known for its vital seabird breeding grounds, the island hosts puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, alongside the elusive golden hare, an endemic species.

Williams is particularly eager to encounter the rare corncrake, a migratory bird whose numbers have plummeted across Europe.

“I’m really hoping that we might get to see and hear a really rare, very elusive bird, the corncrake. It’s a migratory bird which 100, 120 years ago was really common. It’s now declining throughout its range in Europe,” he explained.

Rathlin’s rugged beauty and rich wildlife make it a fitting stage for Springwatch’s 20th anniversary, offering viewers a glimpse into one of the UK’s most pristine natural landscapes.

Week 3: Mount Stewart’s Ecological Mosaic

The trek concludes at Mount Stewart, a National Trust property boasting 10,000 recorded species across diverse habitats, including woodlands, ghost ponds, and a tidal lough.

Here, Williams will introduce viewers to native red squirrels, rare pine martens, and long-eared owls drifting over twilight woodlands.

The barn owl, one of Northern Ireland’s rarest birds, may also make an appearance, hunting along farmland edges. Mount Stewart’s ecological richness provides a fitting finale to Williams’ journey, showcasing Northern Ireland’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage.

Williams’ trek underscores Springwatch’s mission to highlight regional diversity. By dedicating three weeks to Northern Ireland, the programme not only celebrates its wildlife but also elevates the region’s conservation stories, from urban initiatives in Belfast to the protected landscapes of Rathlin Island and Mount Stewart.

Springwatch Street: Wildlife in Urban Gardens

Michaela Strachan

Image: BBC Studios/Olli Hillyer-Riley

A groundbreaking addition to Springwatch 2025 is “Springwatch Street,” a project that transforms a Sheffield street into a wildlife observatory.

By rigging cameras in the gardens of terraced houses, the programme will reveal the secret lives of urban wildlife, from nocturnal badgers and foxes to nesting swifts.

Michaela Strachan enthused:

“We’re going to some wildlife-friendly gardens in Sheffield, we’re putting cameras up to see what we can reveal. They’re terraced houses with normal gardens with a fence around them. I think there will be a lot of surprises.”

The initiative aims to inspire viewers to enhance their own gardens for wildlife, offering practical tips for supporting insects, birds, and mammals.

Chris Packham echoed this sentiment:

“Springwatch Street is a really good idea. We’re always very keen to build communities where people share their passion for wildlife. So, if they can show it over the garden fence, that’s great.”

By showcasing the biodiversity in everyday urban spaces, Springwatch hopes to encourage viewers to rethink their gardens as vital wildlife habitats.

Engaging the Next Generation

Springwatch 2025 places a strong emphasis on engaging young naturalists, recognising their role in shaping the future of conservation.

“I think it’s so important to keep young people connected to wildlife because there are so many other things that are competing for their attention,” Strachan said.

The series will feature young contributors like Lira Valencia, who explores the spread of parakeets, and Jack Baddams, who investigates Sheffield’s urban wildlife. Hannah Stitfall will share behind-the-scenes moments on social media, while Megan McCubbin will report from Haddon Hall, highlighting conservation success stories.

Chris Packham

Image: BBC Studios/Olli Hillyer-Riley

Chris Packham emphasised the importance of inclusivity:

“Young people communicate in different ways now, and that’s why we’ve invested so much and so successfully in our social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, where we get great engagement.”

By amplifying young voices, Springwatch aims to make wildlife advocacy “cool” and accessible, inspiring a new generation to champion the UK’s natural world.

Reflecting on 20 Years of Wildlife Storytelling

Over two decades, Springwatch has delivered unforgettable moments, from the reintroduction of white-tailed eagles on Mull to the saga of Spineless Si, the stickleback who captured the nation’s heart in 2015.

“If a program can take something as humble as a little fish like that and get people talking about it to increase their awareness and affinity for wildlife, then there’s a program that’s worth every pound of our license fee,” Packham reflected.

The programme’s commitment to sustainability also sets it apart. Since 2021, Springwatch has been powered by green hydrogen, a world first for outside broadcasts, reflecting its dedication to environmental responsibility. Its digital innovation, from live streaming on TikTok to interactive content on iPlayer, ensures it remains at the forefront of wildlife broadcasting.

Why Springwatch Matters

As the UK grapples with biodiversity loss, Springwatch remains a vital platform for fostering a connection to nature.

“We call ourselves a nation of animal lovers, but we are equally one of the most nature-depleted set of nations anywhere in the world,” Packham noted.

By showcasing accessible wildlife—whether in rural Longshaw, urban Belfast, or a Sheffield garden—Springwatch encourages viewers to take action.

“I think we need to keep people connected. I think that’s what it’s all about - it’s getting people connected to wildlife, making people realise how important wildlife is, and making people realise how good it is for their mental health and wellbeing,” Strachan added.

Iolo Williams summed up the programme’s enduring appeal:

“On Springwatch we concentrate on British wildlife, and a lot of that is what you see in your back garden, in your local park, in the pond, what you’re seeing in your local wood. And it’s really important that we do have a series that covers just UK wildlife, and a lot of it is wildlife that is seeable and achievable for most people.”

How to Watch

Springwatch 2025 will air live on BBC Two and iPlayer from 26 May to 12 June, Monday to Thursday at 8pm. Additional content, including live wildlife cameras and “Watch Out!” shows with Hannah Stitfall, will be available on iPlayer, TikTok, and www.bbc.co.uk/Springwatch.

Viewers are encouraged to share their own wildlife footage by tagging @BBCSpringwatch on Facebook and Instagram.

As Springwatch celebrates its 20th year, it continues to inspire, educate, and connect audiences with the UK’s natural wonders, from the rugged moors of Longshaw to the vibrant ecosystems of Northern Ireland.

Tune in to witness the unfolding drama of spring and join a community passionate about protecting our wildlife for generations to come.