Springwatch

[Kymba]

Originally Posted by smartie

I'm pretty much addicted as well, and like the fact that we've got some different wildlife characters this year. The film of the owl eating its sibling should have had a health warning, though

The one thing that irritates me is the breathless cutting between fragments of material -"Let's go to Simon so he can give us a little bit of a story about hares, then wait five minutes for another little bit of the same film...then wait another 10 minutes for the next little bit..." I presume it's designed to build up "suspense" for people who have the attention span of a gnat, but I'd rather just see the whole clip then go on to something else. It's not as if it was live, they filmed it all earlier in the day.

Its probably done to keep you watching
I would love to spend a Day with Simon.You would learn so much, I think he is Very knowledgable and informative and you can just tell from listening to him he loves what he does. I watch all the programmes he does or is in..

Yes the owl item was a bit horrific, But then thats nature and survival of the fittess is the name of the game. I am also enjoying seeing different Birds, insects and animals this time around.

[colincurry]

I watched the first episode. It was good to see different things for a change.

I understand that the programme is probably designed to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, especially children - and this is a good thing. However, I hate the anthopomorphic items such as the one on the House Mouse. These seem to be a device for Bill Oddie to shine. I also hate the way it chops about so quickly before dealing fully with one item at a time.

I don't know anything about the professional relationship between Oddie and Kate Humble, but I wish he would be a bit more humble at times. He is very knowledgeable but he does tend to go over the top; and, for me, this is a bit of turn off.

I went barnowl hunting last night and missed that episode. I did not feel inclined to tape it.

Colin

PS My guv'nor feels the same.

[Gaina]

Originally Posted by colincurry

I watched the first episode. It was good to see different things for a change.

I understand that the programme is probably designed to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, especially children - and this is a good thing. However, I hate the anthopomorphic items such as the one on the House Mouse. These seem to be a device for Bill Oddie to shine.

I think the 'aah' factor was quickly balanced out by the footage of Barn Owls comitting siblicide! . The 'cute factor' pitches the information to very young children in a way they can undrstand and then as they get older they beging to understand more complicated issues. What's important right now IMHO, is keeping their interest so they then turn into the adults who will care for our wildlife in the future.

Originally Posted by colincurry

I also hate the way it chops about so quickly before dealing fully with one item at a time.

I suppose those are the 'joys' of mixing wildlife with live TV - you can't script it!

[Kymba]

I loved the baby Jays ( jays are my favourite garden Bird )
I also like they way they at least tell you how much work and time you have to devote to chicks you may find abandoned. Steve (my partner) couldnt believe how often you have to feed them and time you have to give them... So he learnt something

I also like the idea that it is also shown on CBBC TV for Kids to watch and learn from

[mrs fish]

Another fan
I love Bill

[SparklySarah]

Originally Posted by Kymba

I also like the idea that it is also shown on CBBC TV for Kids to watch and learn from

I agree. It's good to see it getting to all ages. Hopefully will make a difference!

[geordie1970]

I searched for springwatch at work the other evening and there was a full page of downloadable mp3 bird calls I couldn't d/l them from work so I looked again when I got home and I can't find them anywhere

P.s bye stanbob ********

[SparklySarah]

Originally Posted by geordie1970

P.s bye stanbob ********

Yes that was a bit of a surprise!

[Kymba]

Originally Posted by geordie1970

I searched for springwatch at work the other evening and there was a full page of downloadable mp3 bird calls I couldn't d/l them from work so I looked again when I got home and I can't find them anywhere

P.s bye stanbob ********

If you go right to the bottom of the springwatch website it is the radio 4 link that has the Bird song downloads. ( wel it is on the one i have )

[SparklySarah]

Originally Posted by geordie1970

I searched for springwatch at work the other evening and there was a full page of downloadable mp3 bird calls I couldn't d/l them from work so I looked again when I got home and I can't find them anywhere

Here you go:
BBC - Radio 4 - British Birdsong

[Kymba]

Brilliant programme tonight.. The Otter in the river was fantastic Also loved the video of the kestral on the Motorway... use to see them a lot driving to and fro from Plymouth to surrey on the A303 and even M25..
And how brilliant to see the Corn Craik.
The Badgers didn't let us down again tonight
But sad to see one of the Tawney owls had died over night

[Gaina]

I thought it was hilarious when they played the buzzard call and Bill thought he'd attracted one with the 'psh!!' sound. If you didn't see it, Kate Humble 'corpsed' and it was extremely funny

[geordie1970]

Originally Posted by SparklySarah

Here you go:
BBC - Radio 4 - British Birdsong

Thanks Sarah

[richardkm]

Haven't bothered to watch it this year, partly due to the fact that I'm making new sash windows for the house, but mostly because I can't stand Bill Oddie and hate the anthropomorphism.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by richardkm

Haven't bothered to watch it this year, partly due to the fact that I'm making new sash windows for the house, but mostly because I can't stand Bill Oddie and hate the anthropomorphism.

Oh Richard -you do like to be controversial don't you . I think Bill Oddie is great and if I was ever famous and was asked for my three dinner party guests he would be one of them. If it wasn't for him and SpringWatch I doubt that the nation would be striving with their gardens and wastelands to improve the environment and the return of wildlife. I am not saying Mr Oddie has done this personally but he must have been the inspiration behind a lot of it - it was with me!

[Nicola Main]

I really loved that filming of the Kestrel on the motorway and it brought a tear to my eye (I'll admit it! ) especially with that lovely music from the Romeo & Juliet movie. Did you all notice as Bill and Kate were speaking on the log that their umbrella went rolling away down the hill behind them? I thought it was hilarious and Bill mistaking the Buzzard call too! I love Springwatch and I can't wait until the next instalment tonight!

[galanthus]

Our house is full of builders, rubble and dust, am v upset as banned from lower house and so only saw the first springwatch so far. Will whip around with cloths and brushes tonight to make sure we see this one. Bill Oddie is fantastic, he's contributed very positively to wildlife and probably hates the fact that most people feel he's famous for the goodies. As for Simon King, yum

[Gaina]

Originally Posted by galanthus

Our house is full of builders, rubble and dust, am v upset as banned from lower house and so only saw the first springwatch so far. Will whip around with cloths and brushes tonight to make sure we see this one. Bill Oddie is fantastic, he's contributed very positively to wildlife and probably hates the fact that most people feel he's famous for the goodies. As for Simon King, yum

There's a selection of the best bits on the website, including the Buzzard incident

I think Bill Oddie is great, I'd like him as one of my dinner guests too. I like him for being himself at all times in an age when anyone who does tv is expected to be 'switched on and smiling' 24/7 .

I'm just watching the Live Cams and I have to say I think this is the best quality camera feed we've ever seen!

[SparklySarah]

Originally Posted by Gaina

I thought it was hilarious when they played the buzzard call and Bill thought he'd attracted one with the 'psh!!' sound. If you didn't see it, Kate Humble 'corpsed' and it was extremely funny

That was brilliant! He would though, wouldn't he?! I wander if Kate has recovered from it!!

[hachidori]

Originally Posted by richardkm

Haven't bothered to watch it this year, partly due to the fact that I'm making new sash windows for the house, but mostly because I can't stand Bill Oddie and hate the anthropomorphism.

I have to say I'm with you on that one. "Fluffy Conservation" really iritates me. However, I really think that it has a place, in that many people would have no exposure to wildlife or conservation issues without the Bill Oddies of this world. (Lets not forget that Bill is actually a very intelligent guy with a load of knowledge of wildlife, particularly ornithology, and that his method of downplaying his own knowledge is what makes him accessible and approachable to the average viewer).

Besides, its better than Big Brother or any similar show for tension! Kate obviously can't stand Bill!

[Quackers]

I'm really enjoying Springwatch this year and I think it's been far better than in previous years - Bill Oddie was in Regent's Park a few weeks ago when a friend and I were feeding about 15 herons. He had the cheek to ask us to stop feeding the herons so that he could do a piece to camera about them. Unfortunately for Bill, when we moved the herons followed us! So that will teach him.

[The Black Rabbit]

We (my girlfriend and I) love Springwatch, but we abhor the dreadful dwarf Bill Oddie. I don'tknow anyone who likes this odious little creature. Why can't he put his tongue back in his mouth and stop being so incredibly patronising! He interviewed my Uncle a year or so ago, (who is an Dragonfly expert), and apalled him too. Poor old Kate Humble!
Despite that, the programme is wonderful. As usual!

[The Black Rabbit]

see below

[mrs fish]

I heard you the first time lol

I love Bill