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Winterwatch(2013–)
January 14, 201317 Seasons · 77 Episodes
Returning Series
Documentary
4.8from 5 users
Overview
Live coverage as our wildlife faces up to the most challenging time of year.
Network BBC Two
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Live coverage as our wildlife faces up to the most challenging time of year.
2019
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Gillian Burke host from the Cairngorms. And there is a look at how Britain's wildlife is faring across the country.
Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan are live from Scotland. Gillian Burke is on the trail of a surprising winter insect spectacle, and Iolo Williams hopes to track down a wildcat.
Chris Packham Michaela Strachan, Gillian Burke and Iolo Williams share the latest news from the wildlife cameras. The team looks at some of the smallest residents, wood ants.
The team reviews the extraordinary events that have taken place in their new, wild home in the Cairngorms. There are red squirrels, pine martens, crested tits and golden eagles.
2020
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, Gillian Burke and Iolo Williams host, live from the Cairngorms. What can the Cairngorms reveal about winter right now, and in the future?
2024
Say goodbye to those winter blues as Winterwatch returns to whet your wildlife appetite. Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams kick off the week at RSPB Arne in Dorset, where winter is revealing a cast of nocturnal characters. Live cameras are poised to capture the family dynamics of foxes, brazen badgers, and if we’re lucky, a white-tailed eagle… or two. Iolo heads over to Brownsea Island to introduce us to the wealth of waders that flock here in winter, and Gillian Burke has been out exploring the isles of Orkney. Closer to the Arctic Circle than they are to London, these isles reveal a few wildlife surprises.
2018
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games host from Sherborne, where after a disappointing spring and autumn for badger activity, things are starting to look up this winter. They've also been catching fascinating infra-red images, complete with haunting sounds, from the UK's smallest deer species, the Muntjac. Martin continues to delve deeper into the Sherborne landscape, getting his feet wet again in the Sherborne Brook where he looks for evidence of spawning trout. Gillian Burke is on Islay, off the west coast of Scotland, tracking down a family of otters who live around one of the island's famous whisky distilleries. It's a rugged place, and Gillian explains some of the tricks of the trade that these mammals use to get through the bitter winters.
2021
Winterwatch is back for two weeks! The days are short and the nights are long, but there is magic to be found in winter. The team invite you to wrap up warm and join them for an exploration of wonderful wildlife, seasonal beauty and natural wonder. Chris Packham is in the New Forest watching winter transform his home. Iolo Williams is at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales, hoping to see some amazing murmurations. Gillian Burke is at RPSB Old Moor in South Yorkshire, seeing how a joined-up wildlife project has revitalised the area. Michaela Strachan is back at Tentsmuir in Fife, finding out what happened to our seal pups from Autumnwatch. And young naturalist Indy Green takes us deep into Sherwood Forest on the hunt for one of our most elusive birds of prey - the goshawk.
2022
The Winterwatch team are live from the Cairngorms. They look at why there has been a severe lack of snow in Scotland this year.
The team share the incredible science that explains why ducks don’t die from the cold, a hidden world of overwintering insects, and minibeasts captured on camera by a passionate amateur photographer.
The team reviews the extraordinary events that have taken place this week and looks back over an eventful year in the Cairngorms.
Night two of Winterwatch brings all the beauty of the season live from RSPB Arne in Dorset. Our cameras have been capturing wildlife dramas around the clock, and Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan reveal the latest developments. Iolo Williams brings the latest wildlife sightings from Brownsea island, which include the native red squirrels who are doing what they do best and squirrelling away their nuts to help them through the winter. Gillian continues her Orkney adventures and sets sail to find some of the more elusive island inhabitants.
It’s time to sit back and enjoy nature as it was intended. With a music-free episode, the audience will be immersed in the natural sounds of nature. Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan catch us up on the latest wildlife news from RSPB Arne in Dorset. Iolo Williams ventures across the water and onto Brownsea Island with a thermal camera to capture all the island’s drama after dark. We meet two families of otters who inhabit our most northerly islands and must take to the seas to find a feast, and Gillian visits Sanday, the largest of Orkney’s northern isles, to lay eyes on a mammal found nowhere else on earth.
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams wrap up the week’s wildlife stories from RSPB Arne in Dorset. Winter is a tough time for wildlife, so how have they all been coping? We check in with our bird feeders on site to see what species have been feasting, and there’s no better time to make a record of avian garden visitors, as The Big Garden Birdwatch is just around the corner. Gillian concludes her Orkney adventures, showcasing some of the islands’ coastal specialists.
Gillian Burke reports from Islay, Martin Hughes-Games explores a hidden aspect of the Gloucestershire countryside, and Michaela Strachan and Chris Packham update us from Sherborne.
Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan host. Martin Hughes-Games has updates on what has been going on in the bat roost since we left it in Autumnwatch.
Michaela Strachan, Chris Packham and Martin Hughes-Games wrap up the series with live action and reports from our cameras. Gillian Burke also has her last report from Islay.
In this episode, Winterwatch concentrates on the superpowers that some of our wildlife has developed in order to survive this harshest of seasons. Chris Packham will be in the New Forest to catch up on the action from the live cameras there and on the River Ness in Scotland. Iolo Williams is looking at a feral flock of barnacle geese that have descended on RSPB Ynis Hir. Gillian Burke is at RPSB Old Moor in South Yorkshire, where grazing Konik ponies help manage the landscape. Michaela Strachan is looking at the short-eared owls who spend the season on the Isle of May. We also delve below the surface of Loch Carron to see the amazing brittlestars who thrive there in winter, and through the use of new camera technology, we explore the science behind how owls hunt at night.
This episode concentrates on the sense of winter – the touch, smell, sounds and sights that make up the most magical of seasons. Chris Packham is in the New Forest, examining the species of bee you might find in your hotel at the moment, as well as taking a look at different shapes of nest. Meanwhile, Iolo Williams inspects some tree creepers, and Gillian Burke ventures into Sheffield to see some of the wildlife that populates the city - dippers, salmon and mandarins are all on her to-see list. Michaela Strachan looks at some of the strategies animals employ when they hibernate, while wildlife cameraman Richard Taylor Jones tells us the story of the Oare Marshes on the River Swale, which have been transformed from a gunpowder-making site to a wildlife haven. Also, fish enthusiast Jack Perks gets into some extraordinary camouflage to witness a bait ball in Rutland Water.
This episode concentrates on the hidden treasures of winter. Chris Packham comes live from the New Forest, catching up on the drama showing up on the live cameras at his badger sett and the spawning salmon in the River Ness. He also takes a look at the reasons why waders bob. Iolo Williams has eyes on the very rare white-fronted geese that migrate to Wales every year, while Gillian Burke is pond dipping at RSPB Old Moor in South Yorkshire – as well as looking at the area's dragonfly species. Michaela Strachan is on the tracks of the winter residents of Tentsmuir, hoping to see evidence of some of our favourite mammals. Meanwhile, on the Orkney Islands, a regular beachcomber is hoping the winter tides will turn up some natural treasures, and we’re on the hunt for the elusive woodcock in Northern Ireland.
In this episode, Winterwatch looks at the extraordinary lengths animals go to in order to survive this harshest of seasons. Chris Packham is live in the New Forest, looking for Dartford warblers as well as updating us on what’s happened on the live cameras over the weekend. Iolo Williams is looking at the water shrews and discovering their amazing ability to survive the winter. Meanwhile, Gillian Burke is at a sewage works close to RSPB Old Moor, meeting the wildlife that call it home, and Michaela Strachan is looking for whooper swans at Tentsmuir in Fife. Tonight sees the start of Megan McCubbin's four-part look at species that aren't as loved as they should be. Megan is hoping to challenge the reputations of these animals and make us appreciate them – starting with rats. We’re also on the Somerset levels as Birdgirl Mya Rose Craig goes in search of the very rare Penduline tit – and she’s hoping to show Iolo where to find them.
Chris Packham is live in the New Forest, looking at what’s been happening in the badger sett and at the latest action from the River Ness. Iolo Williams is looking at otters at CAT in Wales and seeing the ways they're encouraging more otters to the site by building them holts. Gillian Burke is at RSPB Old Moor, where they’ve been having some success with managing the eel population. Gillian explores the life-cycle of this fascinating creature. Michaela Strachan is in Tentsmuir in Fife to look at wildcats in Scotland. Megan McCubbin has the second of a four part look at species that aren't as loved as they should be. Megan is swimming with jellyfish in a bid to understand why they are misunderstood. Meanwhile, actor and keen birder Sam West teams up with sound recordist Gary Moore at RSPB Minsmere to better understand the sounds of our winter birds.
In this episode, Winterwatch takes a look at wellbeing – both for humans and for animals – and how, in these difficult times, nature can have the answers. Chris Packham is live in the New Forest with all the news from our live cameras. Iolo Williams is at the Centre for Alternative technology in Wales. Gillian Burke is at RSPB Old Moor in South Yorkshire, looking at how nature can be a benefit to our mental health. Michaela Strachan ventures further afield in Scotland, hoping to catch sight of the Dunsapie otter in Edinburgh. In her third film about unloved animals, Megan McCubbin discovers the deep intelligence of pigeons and why we should admire them. Plus a look at wild-swimming with a woman who has found it of enormous benefit to her mental health, and who also takes amazing photographs of the wildlife she sees on her swims.
The final Winterwatch of this series looks at the season as a whole and what it means to us all to celebrate that winter magic. Chris Packham will be live in the New Forest, giving us a final look at the animals we’ve been witnessing for the last couple of weeks. Iolo Williams is looking at oyster catchers and peregrines, Gillian Burke is hoping to see the owls at RSPB Old Moor, and Michaela Strachan is looking at Scotland’s most iconic bird – the golden eagle. In Megan McCubbin’s final film about animals that are often unloved, she promotes slugs, arguing they are not just garden destroyers, but vital to the ecosystem as a whole. We’re also on the hunt for another of our iconic birds of prey as Iolo discovers the amazing success story of red kites in Wales.
2026
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams return for Winterwatch 2026, broadcasting live from the beautiful Mount Stewart estate on the shores of Strangford Lough. Wrapped in winter light, Mount Stewart is a haven for wildlife during the colder months, where land and sea meet in spectacular fashion. The team slow down and discover the quiet wonders of winter, from wading birds gathering along the lough to the hardy woodland residents thriving among ancient trees. Featuring expert insight, intimate encounters and those first magical moments of the season.
Winter is in full swing at Mount Stewart as Winterwatch 2026 returns for its second evening on the shores of Strangford Lough. As the days grow shorter and the nights draw in, the estate’s wildlife reveals how it copes with the challenges and quiet opportunities of the season. Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams observe secretive badgers emerging after dusk, as well as some elusive pine martens, who have been reclaiming their place in Northern Ireland’s woodlands. Plus the hidden lives unfolding beneath the winter canopy. Alongside the stories from Mount Stewart, there are stories from across the UK, capturing the rich variety of wildlife that makes winter such a compelling time to watch and wonder.
In this completely music-free episode, every part of the programme - from live moments at Mount Stewart to specially filmed reports from across the UK - is accompanied only by the authentic sounds of nature. At Mount Stewart, the team are keeping their eyes and ears peeled for the fleeting presence of an elusive otter, which moves silently through the winter landscape.
As Winterwatch 2026 draws to a close, Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams spend a final evening at Mount Stewart, celebrating the very best of the winter season. From memorable moments at Mount Stewart to standout films from across the UK, they celebrate the resilience and beauty shown by wildlife during these cold winter weeks.
2023
Winterwatch is back to showcase the very best of the season’s wildlife across the UK. Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan bring us live cameras and winter dramas from Wild Ken Hill.
Gillian Burke and Iolo Williams head into a cemetery to see the wildlife that uses Edinburgh's habitats as a haven.
Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan revel in some of winter’s most dazzling displays and chat with artist Paul Harfleet, who uses art to highlight the plight of many of our British bird species.
Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan reveal some ingenious beetle adaptations, and Megan McCubbin immerses herself in an iconic winter spectacle as she goes swimming with starlings.
Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan give an update on the dramas in Norfolk, there's a look at the rich habitats of the Wash, and Iolo Williams and Gillian Burke showcase the Water of Leith.
Michaela Strachan and Lucy Lapwing reveal some intriguing behaviours from Norfolk’s miniature marvels, and Gillian Burke and Iolo Williams look at the wildlife of Musselburgh.
Michaela Strachan celebrates one of Norfolk’s most sensational winter species, pink-footed geese, while Chris Packham catches up on all the action from the live wildlife cameras.
Sir David Attenborough is a guest on the show, talking with Chris Packham about all things British wildlife ahead of his series Wild Isles. Meanwhile, Chris and Michaela say goodbye to Wild Ken Hill.
2025
Iolo Williams explores how animals seek refuge in winter by looking back at stories from Winterwatch and Autumnwatch. He begins in an old mine near Machynlleth, where he discovers insects sheltering from the weather. However, there is danger lurking in the shadows in the form of cave spiders, which will feast on small creatures that venture too close.
Iolo Williams explores the various strategies that animals use to survive harsh winters, including the incredible adaptations that mean ducks' feet don’t freeze and pond creatures can survive under ice. Iolo also visits a greater horseshoe bat roost before they move on to hibernate and searches for the caterpillars of marsh fritillary butterflies that overwinter in special frost-resistant webs.
Iolo Williams showcases animals that use intelligence to survive the challenges of winter. He begins on Anglesey, where he joins raven expert Nigel Brown to investigate these highly intelligent birds, using thermal imagery to uncover the secrets of their night-time activities. Ravens are highly social and raucous as they gather to roost and share information about where food can be found – vital when resources are scarce. While ravens are masterminds of the air, beneath the waves, a curled octopus is on the hunt - but will this cunning creature be outwitted by a crafty cuttlefish?
In winter, finding a meal can be a life-threatening challenge for many creatures. Iolo Williams investigates how wildlife avoids starvation when sustenance is scarce by looking back at some of the best seasonal stories from Autumnwatch and Winterwatch. In north Wales, many wading birds are drawn to the abundance of food on the shorelines of the Menai Straits. Among them, the aptly named turnstone finds food that others can’t reach by lifting heavy rocks with its strong neck and beak, rummaging through the pebbles in search of tasty invertebrates. Many of us put out food for wildlife in our gardens, but photographer Richard Bowler managed to attract a real rarity - a highly elusive polecat. Using cameras that trigger automatically, and some irresistible snacks, he captured some amazing images of one individual that is a real character.
While many species are simply trying to stay alive at this challenging time of year, others are focusing on the next generation. Iolo Williams looks back at some of the best seasonal stories of reproduction featured on the watches over the years. He begins with an autumn visit to Skomer Island, where a globally important colony of Manx shearwaters breed in burrows underground. The parent birds have already left on their mammoth migration to South America, but their chicks are left to fend for themselves until they are ready to fledge. Under the cover of darkness, dozens of chicks clamber up Iolo and scientist Tim Guilford to gain as much height as possible for their maiden flight. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Iolo as chicks launch themselves from his head before setting off on a daunting journey to cross the Atlantic. With no parents to guide them, these remarkable birds rely on instinct to navigate thousands of miles across the ocean.
Iolo Williams tracks down some of Wales’s most elusive creatures and sheds light on how some of them remain undetected. He begins by revealing the array of tiny creatures that take refuge in a log pile in winter: a hibernating butterfly, a centipede on the hunt and a dedicated earwig mother carefully tending to her eggs. Beneath the waves, marine animals are also hidden from view, but many also try their best to hide from each other. Sand gobies are well camouflaged against the seafloor but must be vigilant, as an angel shark, a rare creature filmed for the first time in UK waters, buries itself in the sand to ambush its prey from below.
2026
Enjoy the very best of the season in a natural escape that lets nature do the talking.
2025
Enjoy the very best of the season in a natural escape that lets nature do the talking.
Enjoy the very best of the season in a natural escape that lets nature do the talking.
2025
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams present the spectacular return of Winterwatch, kicking off the 2025 series from the RSPB Arne reserve on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. Nestled on the edge of Poole Harbour, Arne is one of the UK’s most important wildlife havens. From the bustling estuary to the ancient heathland, this is a look at the resilient characters that call this diverse landscape home. Featuring expert insight, up-close encounters and the season’s first breathtaking moments.
It’s night two of Winterwatch, and Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams are all set to bring a little warmth to the winter season. Tonight, they shine a light on the young naturalists of the future, while gleaning fascinating insights into the lives of the elusive bittern and the marvellous adaptations of winter moths. Plus all the action from the live cameras, which are set to capture the drama of the season.
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams bring a seasonal sound spectacular with this music-free episode, designed to showcase the natural sounds of winter. There's a look at why a bird’s vocal repertoire is much more than just its song, how bees are coping with changing winters and how a man discovered a family of otters on his local nature reserve and made it his mission to capture their magical moments.
For the final instalment of 2025, Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams wrap up winter from RSPB Arne in Dorset. Ahead of RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, they meet the rock‘n’roll birder who shows them that Britain's avian visitors can be as diverse as the music people listen to. Plus the latest action from the live cameras and a celebration of winter's sensational cast of characters.
2015
Winterwatch returns live from the Scottish Highlands with the very best seasonal wildlife stories. Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games are back in the Cairngorm Mountains, following golden eagles, otters and pine martens. With the area suffering winds of up to 100mph, Martin braves the elements to examine how the local wildlife shelter from the storms. And Iolo Williams reports on a grey seal baby boom on the wild Norfolk coast.
Chris Packham, Martin Hughes-Games and Michaela Strachan are live from the Highlands of Scotland with the latest updates on a host of wintry wildlife stories. The team look at urban roosts. Martin takes to the trees as he enters the world of the red squirrel. In Norfolk, Iolo Williams heads out on a nocturnal mission to film fighting grey seals.
With more live reports from the beautiful Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland, presenters Chris Packham, Martin Hughes-Games and Michaela Strachan look at the winter wildlife found in our rivers and coastlines. Iolo Williams reports from the wild Norfolk coast where thousands of wading birds have gathered, and Martin takes a closer look at the life of otters on the River Dee.
In their last live report from the Highlands of Scotland, presenters Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games reveal some of winter's most beautiful spectacles. The team check in with much-loved garden birds and Chris gives viewers a beginner's guide to understanding animal tracks. And there's a final catch-up with golden eagles, otters, red squirrels and other local favourites.
2014
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games are back with the best UK wildlife stories as they broadcast live from their new base in the Cairngorm Mountains. Winterwatch follows golden eagles, red squirrels, otters and red deer as they cope with this most challenging season. There is a special report on Brighton's urban foxes and an investigation into the ingenious ways British wildlife overcomes the hardships of winter.
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games broadcast from their base in the Cairngorm Mountains, featuring updates on the red deer, golden eagles and otters in the area. The team explores the ancient Caledonian Forest, home to squirrels, pine martens and other woodland wildlife. In a special report, Chris Packham tracks an adventurous urban fox on the move in Brighton.
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games broadcast from their base in the Cairngorm Mountains, where they reveal the winter survival strategies of the UK's wildlife. The team catches up with the golden eagles, red deer and pine martens in the area, and look at how garden birds around the country are coping with this challenging season. Martin Hughes-Games braves the icy waters of the River Dee, as he explores the watery home of otters and dippers.
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games broadcast from their base in the Cairngorm Mountains, where they report on wildlife stories from the Scottish Highlands. It's the end of an action-packed week and there is a final report on Brighton's urban foxes as their breeding season gets underway. The team also heads up into the wild, windy uplands, home to golden eagles, mountain hares and red grouse.
2013
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games bring you the best UK wildlife stories from their base in the Scottish Highlands. Winterwatch follows beavers, red squirrels, pine martens and a host of other animals across this challenging season. There is dramatic action from a seal colony in Norfolk, as pups are born and males battle it out on the beaches. Plus the team uncovers the dark side of one of the nation's favourite birds - the robin.
Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan broadcast live from the Scottish Highlands, reporting on the overnight wildlife action. Martin Hughes-Games scales the snowy Cairngorms to track down the mountain hare and understand how this mammal has adapted to the near Arctic conditions. Meanwhile, the team reveal the secrets behind an enormous roost of rooks, one of the UK's biggest winter spectacles. And Gordon Buchanan braves our coastal waters to investigate marine creatures in winter.
Live from their base in the Scottish Highlands, Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games, reveal the winter survival strategies of the UK's wildlife, including those making the most of our gardens. In Norfolk, the Seal Diary continues with dramatic battles between rival males and new challenges for a young pup. And the team reveals how the River Dart is a lifeline to wildlife living in the bleak yet beautiful winter landscape of Dartmoor.
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games report live on wildlife stories from the Scottish Highlands, revealing how the UK's wildlife is surviving this challenging season. The team find out why cities become a haven for wildlife in winter, and the Seal Diary reaches its climax, as pups start to leave the beach for life in the open ocean. But for some animals, like the fox, a hint of spring is already in the air and the mating season is under way.
2016
Winterwatch returns in the middle of one of the most extraordinary winters in living memory. So far this is the warmest and wettest winter on record - but what effect has this had on our wildlife? Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games are back live from the Scottish highlands with spectacular winter wildlife stories from around the country.
Chris Packham, Martin Hughes-Games and Michaela Strachan are live from the Highlands of Scotland with the latest updates on how our wildlife is coping with this extraordinary winter. They are on the trail of the Scottish tiger. Martin attempts to spend the night on one of the UK's highest mountain ranges to see how animals are being affected in one of the harshest environments.
Martin Hughes-Games and Michaela Strachan are live from the Highlands of Scotland with the latest updates on how our wildlife is coping with this extraordinary winter. We find out how Martin got on during his night on the mountainside, while Iolo Williams is on the trail of water deer, an animal that looks like a sabre-tooth teddy bear and is being affected by our sensational weather.
In their last live report from the Highlands of Scotland, presenters Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games reveal some of this winter's most unusual spectacles. Including reports on wildcats, golden eagles and the UK's most unusual deer.
2017
Winterwatch returns to RSPB Arne in Dorset to check in with the latest in the world of British wildlife. Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games present, looking back at the news since Autumnwatch and exploring how the cold months have affected the animals of the UK.
Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan are live from the studio at RSPB Arne with the latest news from the ongoing stories on the reserve. Martin Hughes-Games is further afield on a mission to understand Britain's wildlife in a deeper fashion, and Iolo Williams brings a report from a raven colony on Anglesey.
The Winterwatch team showcase some of the animals that choose to stay in the micro-climate of Poole Harbour over the winter. Plus, a look at how other species survive up and down the British Isles.
It is the last Winterwatch of the season, and Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan round up the activity they have seen throughout the week at RSPB Arne in Dorset, and look forward to the new season just around the corner. Martin Hughes-Games has found an unusual way to do his bit for conservation, and Gillian Burke brings a report on some charismatic British animals.
Chris Packham
Self - Presenter
Michaela Strachan
Self - Presenter
Iolo Williams
Self - Presenter
