Why Does Everyone Love Spring Watch?

Springwatch co-presenter Michaela Strachan reckons there’s a very good reason why millions of us snuggle up to wildlife and nature shows

- Paul Simper

When it comes to wildlife, Michaela Strachan really knows her stuff. She has come a long way since we saw her getting youngsters engaged with nature as a novice presenter of The Really Wild Show to the work she does now on Springwatch. There’s no denying, Michaela, 53, has inspired multiple generations to get up close and learn about the world we live in, highlighting the need to protect endangered animals and not forgetting her involvement on rehabilitating wildlife, from penguins to orang-utans.

In the ever-changing world, her job is never done and as she faced her own presenting challenges that came when she replaced popular Kate Humble on Autumnwatch, we caught up with Michaela to find out exactly why, particularly at this time of year, everyone can’t get enough of Springwatch...

I think there’s something comforting for viewers about Springwatch.

If it has been a rainy winter, it’s dreary, it’s long and it’s dark. So without sounding corny, the first signs of spring put a spring in your step and a smile on your face. It’s the same with our show.

Interestingly, our best viewing figures are when there is either an election or Brexit going on.

At the last election we got messages saying, “It’s such a relief to watch a feel-good programme with humour and you learn something.”

Presenting it has changed my life.

It’s amazing to have a job that pays you to get immersed in the seasons. However much of a wildlife lover you are, our lives tend to distract us with other stuff. This job has made me take more notice of what goes on around us.

You see so much depressing stuff about the state of the environment that sometimes you feel you can’t do anything about it.