Springwatch 2011

[PMG]

Maybe its me ...... perhaps I am mellowing ...... (now just stop laughing at that statement - it might be true - it could be ........ ) but I have thoroughly enjoyed Springwatch this time: the subjects have been well mixed - there's plenty to go at the new venue ....... which I always pronounced as 'Inis Higher' and now know its 'Unys Here' (remind me not to try learning Welsh)

I wasn't too keen on the beavers but thats cos I'm just not interested in beavers and I don't think they should be in this country altering the land - we have enough probs with man doing that without animals doing it big style! If they get into the wrong places they will flood out rare plantlife - that I don;t like. I was a bit miffed that Charlie Hamilton James was immediately 'picked upon' for his style of presenting and obvious nerves - you try remembering what you have to say while your miles away - just you and the cameraman and the director in your earpeice - give folks a chance will you . I think Kate and Chris have settled down well and relieved to see that Martin has had his eyes 'fixed' one way or another and doesn't need reading glasses anymore - tho I laughed at him taking a poke by wearing them last night just for fun

The content, filming esp the River Itchen and the sea from the divers perspective were beyond superlative. Great programme - lots of hard work - 24 hours a day for 2 weeks to keep us up to date with what is happening on the live cams ....... just brilliant - thank you team and the BBC

[Gill Catton]

The grasshopper warbler chicks on the webcam are sooo cute!! so lucky to be able to watch them like this.

Agree by the way I was definitely too quick to judge Charlie, I'm sure given time he would have settled back into the presenting style he had on Halcyon too.

I'm really enjoying the series, but then I have always liked it and its lightweight style just don't expect anything too serious and its fine! I'd watch it (and its seasonal equivalent) all year and every night if I could!

[htcdude]

I really enjoyed tonight's episode, very humourous and some good intresting birds and footage tonight

Nige

[Farplace]

I missed tonight's episode cos I was working - but I had the webcams on in the background. Saw a fox cub on badgercam about midnight.

[Monkey Orchid]

I'm really enjoying this year's Springwatch (although I'm having to watch quite a lot of it on iPlayer as I'm often busy when it's on).

Regarding the few niggles some people have with the style and presenters... Remember this is a popularist show, it's pitched at yer average punter rather than at serious naturalists. A lot of kids do watch it, too - I was field teaching a class of 9 year-olds at Thatcham Reedbeds yesterday and when I asked if any of them had been watching it quite a few hands went up, and they were eager to tell me about their favourite bits.

For me the show's strong points are the range of British wildlife and nature reserves that it covers (I'm really a bit fed up with the overwhelming emphasis on 'exotic' wildlife and locations that most other nature programmes seem to have), and the fact that it's live (if you're not watching it on iPlayer). If the gushy factor sometimes gets a bit much (and I agree, certain of the presenters can get a bit twee) I go and make a cup of tea and come back when the next bit of interesting footage is on.

In these days of X Factor and Strictly Come Prancing, let's celebrate the fact that the Beeb still sees fit to invest in several hours of what must be fairly labour-intensive and expensive nature programming, with countless OB teams and specialist kit. And the showcasing they've been doing of up-and-coming nature film-makers has been wonderful - hope they do more of this!

[htcdude]

I've not got a problem with the content that's presented, just the style of some of them, which has nothing to do with what audience is viewing

The content is excellent and good for all ages and all levels of experience.

Nige

[LCPete]

In these days of X Factor and Strictly Come Prancing, let's celebrate the fact that the Beeb still sees fit to invest in several hours of what must be fairly labour-intensive and expensive nature programming, with countless OB teams and specialist kit. And the showcasing they've been doing of up-and-coming nature film-makers has been wonderful - hope they do more of this!

Completely agree

I dont get to see every episode as I work shifts but have seen quite a few really excellent

[GME]

Oh yes, I love Springwatch!! Definitely not complaining! My only comment regarding Charlie was that it surprised me to see him presenting in a different style to what I had seen him prior. The Halcyon stuff were, and still are, some of my favourite nature programmes and that was largely down to him. Iolo is doing a good job as well. His passion for Welsh Wildlife really comes across

[Swift Fox]

I must say i've been enjoying Springwatch this year and there has been some good stuff featured, the independant films they shown were amazing and hats off to the filmmakers who made them. I'm looking forward to seeing the foxes next week. (thanks for the tip off Marc )

[wizzo]

I thought Charlie looked like he'd been smoking something!