New BBC Winterwatch puts Purbeck back in TV spotlight

In what is likely to be a final visit, BBC cameras will be returning to RSPB Arne in Dorset for the TV programme Winterwatch, to once again highlight the amazing winter wildlife of Purbeck.

The BBC has confirmed that Winterwatch will be broadcast live on BBC Two over four consecutive nights from Arne, beginning on Tuesday 21st January 2025 with other filming taking place across the local region.

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Winter at RSPB Arne

RSPB Arne will welcome the BBC again for Winterwatch 2025

Probably BBC’s final visit

This series concludes the two year contract the BBC signed with RSPB Arne to present Springwatch and Winterwatch on location in Purbeck, which began with Springwatch in 2023.

As yet, it is unknown where Springwatch 2025 will be broadcast from, with the BBC saying that details will be confirmed in due course, nearer the time, though it is thought most likely it will look to other parts of the UK to host the show.

But being able to host four of the ‘Watch’ series from the Isle of Purbeck has hugely raised the profile of RSPB Arne and of the local landscape.

With each episode drawing more than two and a half million viewers, wildlife tourism is becoming a major reason for visiting the area.

RSPB Arne senior sites manager Peter Robertson is hosting the BBC Watch team for the third time in a year
RSPB Arne

Presenter Michaela Strachan (left) with RSPB senior site manager Peter Robertson (right) during Springwatch filming at Arne

“Work has begun on site”

Peter Robertson, senior site manager at Arne, said:

“Our team is looking forward to welcoming back the BBC for this year’s series of Winterwatch. Work has begun on site this week in preparation for the production team’s arrival, and we’re very much looking forward to hosting another Watches series.

“Our visitors know that Arne looks stunning at all times of the year but there’s something very magical about winter.

“People don’t always appreciate just how much wildlife is about right now, and we’re always thrilled to be able to share it with the large audience that Winterwatch provides.

“We’re also open as normal throughout the series for anyone who wants to visit in person – you’re most welcome!”

Winterwatch team Iolo, Hannah, Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan at RSPB Arne
BBC

Winterwatch presenters in 2024 were Iolo Williams, Michaela Strachan, Hannah Stitfall and Chris Packham – will they all be back for 2025?

“Refuge for wildlife”

While it hasn’t been confirmed, it’s likely that presenters Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams will return along with reporter Hannah Stitfall to show off more of Arne’s winter wonders.

Lesley Gorman, RSPB Dorset visitor experience manager, said:

“Winter at RSPB Arne is anything but quiet. The reserve is especially important as a refuge for wildlife during these colder months, when daily survival becomes even harder.

“Last year, resilience and renewal were the themes for Winterwatch 2024, and Chris Packham shared his love of foxes with us, admiring not only their beauty as they ran through rust coloured bracken, but also their success as a widespread and resilient species.

“When we were first approached by the BBC to host not only Springwatch 2023 but also Winterwatch 2024, our team was thrilled.

“Staff and volunteers at RSPB Arne are passionate about the wildlife on the reserve and we relish any opportunities to share this with others. The seasonal BBC Watches are one of the best opportunities to do this with a wider audience.”

Winter squirrel at RSPB Arne

Grey squirrels at Arne can be amusing to watch

white tailed sea eagle in Poole Harbour
Mark Prior

A white tailed eagle is a rare sight but becoming more frequent at Arne and Poole Harbour

“Wonderful and rare”

Lesley added:

“We already work in partnership with the National Trust, Forestry Commission, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Natural England and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation to manage the landscape in a cohesive way that maximises opportunities for wildlife to thrive.

“Our conservation management has allowed the BBC to broadcast some wonderful and rare wildlife, such as the red squirrel colony on Brownsea Island, thousands of wading birds feeding on the shoreline of Poole Harbour, and a peek into the world of the great crested newt.

“At one daily briefing with the Winterwatch team, I had a call on my radio to say that a white tailed eagle had been seen flying across the reserve. I looked up and there it was, the UK’s largest bird of prey, slowly circling above our heads.

“The whole Winterwatch team ran out of their trailers to see this incredible sight and were rewarded with some fantastic views. A couple of young eagles reintroduced to the Isle of Wight have spent quite some time around Poole Harbour and are now regularly sighted flying across RSPB Arne.”

Winter landscape at RSPB Arne

Views across Arne to Poole Harbour

Winter sun at RSPB Arne

Wildlife cameras have been deployed across the nature reserve

More than 50 remote cameras

Although planned content for the four night Winterwatch 2025 is being kept closely under wraps by the BBC, it is expected that once again a crew of 100 and more than 50 remote cameras will be making their way to Arne.

Along with Springwatch, it is the BBC’s largest outside broadcast event and has captured some unforgettable moments during its two-year stint at Arne, including a nightjar eating its live chick and the hatching of osprey eggs at Carey’s Secret Garden, Wareham.

During Winterwatch 2024, the BBC recorded thermal imagery of wading birds feeding along Poole Harbour’s shoreline at night, Sika deer grazing in the woodland pasture and a flock of waxwings at Upton.

Winter tipi at RSPB Arne
BBC

The tipi at Arne is used as a filming location

Mural at RSPB Arne

The new mural at Arne which was created during the filming of Springwatch 2024

“See rehearsals and daytime shows”

Lesley said:

“The BBC team works hard to minimise disruption whilst filming on site, and during Springwatch they were mainly well hidden away as it was the sensitive nesting season.

“But while Winterwatch was being filmed in mid-January last year, visitors to the reserve were delighted to see that a temporary studio had been set up in a large tipi at one of our favourite viewpoints, so they could see rehearsals and daytime shows taking place each day.

“The Springwatch team asked us if they could use a space at the reserve for some wildlife art and Mark Anthony, of ATM Street Art, then painted a stunning mural during the third week of the show.

“Visitors to RSPB Arne were excited to watch Mark painting the mural live, and it has remained a popular attraction with its stunning depictions of some iconic Purbeck species including the Dartford warbler, sand lizard, ladybird spider, Purbeck mason wasp and nightjar. ”

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