Journalism & News from Bournemouth University

What you need to know about Winterwatch

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Photo of birds flocking
Photo credit: Shutterstock/muratart

Arne, located in Dorset, England, is home to diverse wildlife, particularly within the RSPB Arne Nature Reserve, a stunning heathland and woodland area.

Chris and Michaela will return to the BBC screen tonight and will be joined again by Iolo Williams, who joined the watch in 2019.

Chris Packham- “Winterwatch, “Autumnwatch” and “Springwatch”  since 2009. He gained prominence as a host of “The Really Wild Show” in the 1980s and has since been a prominent figure in wildlife broadcasting. Beyond television, Chris is an advocate for wildlife conservation and has authored several books on the subject.

Michaela Strachan-  rose to fame in the 1980s through shows like “The Really Wild Show” and has been a staple on nature programs such as “Springwatch,” “Winterwatch,” and “Autumnwatch” alongside Chris Packham. Despite battling breast cancer and undergoing a double mastectomy in 2014, she has remained a prominent TV figure and has been cancer-free since 2019.

Iolo Williams- Iolo Williams is a Welsh naturalist and television presenter fluent in English and Welsh. He has worked with various conservation organisations and has been a presenter on numerous wildlife programs, bringing attention to the rich natural heritage of Wales and the broader UK.

For the 2025 series, Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, and Iolo Williams will broadcast live from the RSPB Arne reserve in Dorset, offering viewers an in-depth look at the region’s winter wildlife.

Arne is famous for its diverse habitats, including heathland, woodland, salt marsh, and mudflats, making it a haven for a wide variety of wildlife.

Here are five animals you might encounter in the area:

  1. Sika Deer
    These small, elegant deer are common in the reserve and are often spotted grazing in open areas.
  2. Dartford Warbler
    A rare and charismatic bird, it thrives in the heathland habitat of Arne and is a key conservation focus.
  3. Sand Lizard
    This protected reptile highlights Arne’s heathland, basking in the sun on sandy areas.
  4. Nightjar
    A nocturnal bird, its distinctive churring call can be heard at dusk during summer months.
  5. Smooth Snake
    The UK’s rarest snake inhabits the heathland and is harmless to humans.

Arne is also a haven for other species like curlews, dragonflies, and butterflies, making it a fantastic spot for nature enthusiasts.