BBC Springwatch

Yeah- can't wait for Springwatch. Long may it continue. I also thought Bill Oddie was great, although I suspect he could be a cantankerous old bugger to work with at times. Strangely endearing that you found him so shy. I thought Chris Packham had large boots to fill after Bill but, to his credit, I think he has done excellantly, too and he is now very much part of the team.

I hope that Bill returns at some point, if only for a cameo appearance, but wouldn't like it to be at the expense of Mr. Packham.

Colin

I agree with ye Colin.

Im reading Bill Oddie's Little black book of Birding at the moment . its kinda funny.

Would love to see Bill back in the show but as you say not at the expence of Chris.

be goood to have somethin like a Bill Oddi's Blog bit lol

Cheers

AL

I am also looking forward to Springwatch. I am afraid I couldn't watch it when Bill Oddie and Kate Humble were joint presenters. I much prefer Chris Packham. I just wish they had found a woman to co-present who had the same credentials as the men they select.. Perhaps Kate Humble has, but she is definitely pushed into the

 "not quite as knowledgeable female, who asks the very important men a lot of questions" role.

 Not the best role model for all my young female relations (or me). I assume we all want to encourage both sexes to care for our wildlife.  

Actually Jef I think she keeps the unruly men in order! I know what you mean though. Chris Packham is quite a forthright character and tends to dominate.

Would you agree that her relationship with Ben Fogle on Zoo Watch seems on a much more equal footing?

Perhaps Michaela Strachan could be persuaded to join if Chris left??

Cheers

Pipit

Thank you Pipit, I am quite relieved you answered so charmingly.  After I posted that, I considered deleting it as although I do consider it is very important to encourage all children, I didn't want to be controversial or (even worse!) sound "politically correct" . It is only a TV programme after all and a very good one which I am really looking forward to.

I  do think Kate is getting better, or maybe it is that I am more used to the format of the show now. Yes, I do agree what you say about Zoo Watch. I haven't seen Michaela Strachan on TV for years, is she still presenting?

 I think my problem was that I felt  the BBC really pushed it as Bill Oddie's show, to be honest, and that so many of the guests are also men. I know there fewer camera women in the BBC but I feel sure there are loads of interesting women working for wildlife organisations or whatever, who could appear on the show.

 I really enjoy watching Chris Packham he is obviously very enthusiastic and knows his stuff, he also makes me laugh. I bought a couple of his books years ago but have never seen him on TV before. Personally, I don't find him too dominant , more that perhaps (?)  Kate is not as knowledgeable about British wildlife and I wish they had found someone who was more of an expert and less a TV presenter. (I hope that makes sense!) 

Apologies to all out there who love Bill Oddie. I have never met the man and I feel sure he is charming, shy etc. in real life.  I do think TV just gives an impression of people and we do not know the real person at all.  

Anyway, I think we will all be in agreement, that the most important thing is the wildlife, they show too much of the presenters, male and female, at times and not enough of the animals and birds.

(I have edited this myself, as I re- read it and decided a couple of the statements I made were rather harsh and uncalled for. My sincere apologies if I offended anyone.)

Well, you may have scared a few of our male forum users, but they can't deny you are right!

Doesn't Simon King have a wildlife photographer wife? Perhaps she should consider joining the 'gang'

I do agree absolutely with your final sentence. A wildlife nut friend of mine won't watch Springwatch any more because she says it's too much about the presenters and not enough about animals and birds.

The best wildlife programme as far as I'm concerned was 'Big Cat Diaries' although it made me cry buckets usually.

Cheers

Pipit

Unknown said:

I agree with ye Colin.

Im reading Bill Oddie's Little black book of Birding at the moment . its kinda funny.

Would love to see Bill back in the show but as you say not at the expence of Chris.

be goood to have somethin like a Bill Oddi's Blog bit lol

Cheers

AL

Kinda funny???  :))))  It's all true !

I have been accused of being in it!  I'm not..... but I used to dress like most of the male cartoons at some point :)

Bill also did a book of his articles from Birdwatch magazine-  Gripping yarns -  it's good too:)

S

Unknown said:

Well, you may have scared a few of our male forum users, but they can't deny you are right!

Doesn't Simon King have a wildlife photographer wife? Perhaps she should consider joining the 'gang'

I do agree absolutely with your final sentence. A wildlife nut friend of mine won't watch Springwatch any more because she says it's too much about the presenters and not enough about animals and birds.

The best wildlife programme as far as I'm concerned was 'Big Cat Diaries' although it made me cry buckets usually.

Cheers

Pipit

Hi,

I have to admit I rarely watch Springwatch, I watched Autumnwatch last year because it was on once a week . Personally I would prefer more wildlife and less presenters. That said I enjoyed the live 'after prog'  ( unsprung? )  simply because it was live and unpredictable:)

Actually I dont watch many wildlife progs at all- I prefer to be out seeing the stuff for real:)

S

Afraid not,

I do bump into Bill now and then via mutual friends but  I am not him  or any relation  :)

S