I had a strange conversation about Springwatch when I was at the Cereals Show yesterday in Duxford. I was there alongside our advisors talking about wildlife friendly farming (and anything else that cropped up - mainly Brexit or football). In passing, someone said that their son was obsessed with Springwatch and was distraught at the prospect of the show finishing. I empathised, my children get distraught when the latest series of The Next Step finishes.
Later, I went along to be in the audience for the final recording of Springwatch Unsprung - to be aired tonight. I have to be honest, I rarely get the chance to watch the show and was there mainly to be supportive of the great work that our Minsmere team have done, led by the brilliant Adam Rowlands. But, it was also a bit of voyeurism as I was keen to find out what it takes to put on a show like Springwatch.
Minsmere last night was looking its best and the Bittern Hide kindly delivered a bittern and a marsh harrier in the 15 minutes I had before the show.
We watched the main show, oohed and ahhed as the sparrowhawk chicks hatched. Then, as we queued to go into the Unsprung shed, I found myself chatting to a family about how enthralled they had been by the series and how it had motivated them to get active. Seeing the incredible Chris Packham in action and observing the response from the audience (both in the room but also those interacting from home), I think the penny finally dropped: this programme is doing a fantastic job of inspiring people to get interested in nature but also to get active through their Do Something Great Campaign.
So, unlike some other TV nature programmes, I left feeling confident that not only has Springwatch been doing nature a great service by inspiring action but also that those young people distraught by the programme leaving our TV screens will find productive ways of filling the void. I am sure that many will become the environmental leaders of tomorrow.
Applause, applause to the Springwatch team (and, of course, to the wildlife Mecca that is RSPB Minsmere).
Inside the Springwatch Unsprung Shed before filming started. Everyone livened up when Chris Packham turned up - especially entomologist George McGavin seen here sitting on the sofa.
My 11yr old daughter is also obsessed with Springwatch and grieves for a week when its finished. We recently became RSPB members and were told there are opportunities to be in the Unsprung audience. How do I apply ?