BBC Springwatch: When is Springwatch on television and how can I watch it?

Springwatch is almost here! Here's all you need to know about the popular programme, including when it's on

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Published: May 21, 2024 at 11:54 am

Spring has very truly sprung, and we all know what that means – the BBC television programme Springwatch is coming soon!

This award-winning UK wildlife television programme should be back on our screens later this month.

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.

When is Springwatch 2024 on TV?

Springwatch starts on the 27 May on BBC2 and will run to 13 June (most nights)

  • Mon 27 May – Weds 29 May (8pm) + Friday 31 May (7.30pm)
  • Mon 3 June – Thurs 6 June (8pm)
  • Mon 10 June – Thurs 13 June (8pm)

As well as airing live on the BBC 2 it will be available on BBCi Player.

How is Springwatch filmed? we go behind the scenes

Who is presenting Springwatch?

All Springwatch regular presenters - Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, Gillian Burke, Megan McCubbin and Iolo Williams - will be back.

They will be joined by vet and conservationist Sean McCormack, Malcolm Ingham, Louis VI,  PHD researcher Jack Bamber, award-winning photographer Matt Maran, influencer Lira Valencia and zoologist Roxy Furman.

Hannah Stitfall will be presenting two live Watch Out shows every week with exclusive behind the scenes content.

Watch Out will be shown;

  • Tues 28 May at 9pm
  • Fri 31 May at 8.30pm
  • Tues 4 June at 9pm
  • Thurs 6 June at 9pm
  • Tues 11 June at 9pm
  • Weds 12 June at 9pm.

Where is Springwatch being filmed?

Springwatch's main location will be RSPB Arne in Dorset. 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, we’ll 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.

But it's not all about Arne and the wildlife there. Iolo Williams will be discovering wildlife all over Dorset, from the noisy natterjack toads at Hengistbury Head to the busy dormice and badgers of Garston Wood.

Megan McCubbin and Gillian Burke will be in Scotland exploring the wildlife of the Isle of Bute, Loch Lomond and the urban wildlife of Glasgow.

This year, thanks to the collaboration with the National Trust, Springwatch has taken the unprecedented step of rigging the historic Corfe Caste with remote wildlife cameras to monitor a peregrine falcon nest alongside a raven nest.

What species will appear on Springwatch?

Expect little terns, peregrine falcons, ravens, dormice, seals, ospreys - and much more

What's the theme for Springwatch 2024?

This year's theme is ‘Little Things Make A Big Difference’. 2024 explores how even the smallest of actions to help our wildlife can have a massive impact when we act collectively. 

How do I watch Springwatch live cameras?

The Springwatch digital team will, as always, be providing a wealth of exciting extra content.

Springwatch's live wildlife cameras will be streaming across multiple platforms including TikTok every day, with tales from nests, feeders and everything in between. You can tune in on iPlayer or at www.bbc.co.uk/springwatch, where you can also find lots of additional content.

There will be extra clips not seen on TV, revealing the natural magic of Spring as it arrives across the country, and regular highlight packages from the remote cameras will provide a more in-depth insight into the secret lives of the animals we are covering. 

As ever, Watches’ digital team will be on hand to answer viewers’ wildlife-related questions on Facebook and Twitter, working with partner organisations and experts to respond to even the trickiest of inquiries.

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).

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.

Different time of the year? Check out our guides to everything you need to know about the other 'Watches': Autumnwatch and Winterwatch.

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