Highlights: Birds
Highlights: Birds
Published: 26 September 2016
Poole Harbour is a migration hotspot and an avian crossroads. This time of year is when bird migration peaks. Birds are coming and going.
The estuary itself is one of the most important feeding areas for water birds in the whole of the UK.
We will have camera teams out every day bringing the latest sightings and behaviour.
Spoonbill spectacular
Arne and Poole are home to one the UK’s strangest creatures, the Spoonbill. The size of a heron, pure white and with an extraordinary long spoon shaped bill. They look utterly exotic, and indeed they were until a few years ago.
Arne and Brownsea have the largest flock of Spoonbills found anywhere in the country. We will be tracking them down, and with the aid of a decoy spoonbill equipped with a camera, attempt to get intimate live footage of them close up.
Golden Eagle update and naming ceremony
The undeniable star of Springwatch was the Golden Eagle chick. But what happened next?
Over the summer we have followed this youngster go from strength to strength, and Chris Packham returned to the nest with David Anderson to watch it fitted with a satellite tag. Now Autumnwatchers will have the incredible chance to name this magnificent bird, and follow its latest movements.
Flight of the Swans
One woman, 7000 km, 11 countries, by paramotor. A daring bid to fly with one of nature’s great migrations on a quest to save Bewick’s Swans.
Sacha Dench is leading a Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust expedition to follow the swan migration as it happens during Autumnwatch. We will have an exclusive film and updates on this audacious adventure, and of course the swans.
Squirrel island
Hen Harrier guardians
There were just three pairs of hen harriers confirmed breeding in England this year. They are so precious that teams of volunteers and conservationists put up a 24 hour watch over the nests. But what makes someone give up their whole summer to sit in one spot on a distant moor in all weathers?
