BBC Springwatch stars share real truth behind their on-set 'fallouts'

Wales Online

20-05-2025

BBC Springwatch stars share real truth behind their on-set 'fallouts'
The BBC programme continues to share captivating stories as it marks two decades of exploring nests, badger setts, otter holts and waterways, with Michaela Strachan and Chris Packham
BBC Springwatch hosts Michaela Strachan and Chris Packham are marking two decades of the show that shares fascinating insights into the lives of native wildlife, with a special peek into three weeks of activity including nests, badger setts, otter holts, and waterways.
Returning next week, the latest series includes an exciting new feature titled Springwatch Street, which explores the secret world of urban wildlife - revealing to viewers the array of creatures such as foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, and even a nest of swifts discreetly coexisting with the human inhabitants.
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"There will be a lot of surprises," says Michaela, 59. "If you watch your garden in the day, you'll see the birds come, but what comes out at night is going to be really interesting. And what's going on in the undergrowth. It's the small stuff that is always so interesting and hopefully that will inspire people to do even more in their gardens. We'll give tips to encourage people to help particular insects or worms or caterpillars for instance."
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Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Welsh presenter Iolo Williams
(Image: BBC/Jo Charlesworth )
Michaela admits to a deep fondness for fellow presenter Chris, with whom she shares not just screenspace but also a genuine friendship since the days of The Really Wild Show in the 1990s. "Not only are we friends, and we know each other's personal lives, but people have watched us growing up on telly," reveals Michaela, reports OK!.
"We're great friends," says Chris, 64. "We know each other really well, so sometimes we may disagree about something, and the team may look at us and think, 'Oh my goodness, the presenters have fallen out!' But we haven't. We don't get upset about those things. We don't have to agree about everything. We just move on. So, the fact that we're great, lifelong, trusted mates helps, but also that we work in very different ways in terms of way that we approach our job."
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Chris and Michaela have worked together for decades
(Image: BBC Studios )
Michaela is hopeful that Springwatch will continue for another 20 years as she believes that connecting with nature is crucial for our mental health and wellbeing. However, over the 13 years Michaela has been part of Springwatch, she's observed the impact climate change is having on our wildlife.
"I think it's getting more and more important because climate change has changed the world we live in and there is less and less wildlife," Michaela expresses.
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"Over the years I've done the show, I've seen it's much harder to find the wildlife to film, even in places that are managed for wildlife. Even in managed reserves we're sometimes struggling. And 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. Intrinsically, we're supposed to be connected to wildlife. And I think by losing that, we're losing part of ourselves as a human species."
Chris agrees that Springwatch plays a vital role in encouraging us to take a break from our daily grind and focus on the world around us.
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"Springwatch is one of those programmes that gives you the opportunity to stop and think about the little things in life that you may not have spent enough time focusing upon," Chris says.
"I love the things that I didn't know sort of existed. Tree slugs for instance, I had seen slime trails up trees when I was a kid but I'd never bothered to come up with the answer.
"And then someone said that these creatures live on the ground in the daytime and they go to the tops of the trees at night, and they felt like a complete revelation."
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Springwatch starts on Monday, Mat 26 at 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.