Even the closest friendships have their moments — just ask Michaela Strachan and Chris Packham.
As Springwatch celebrates its 20th anniversary, Michaela and Chris are back to present three weeks of wildlife from the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate in the beautiful Peak District. Over two decades, the show has explored everything from nests and badger setts to otter holts and waterways, sharing fascinating stories with viewers.
This year, they’re introducing a new segment called Springwatch Street, which reveals the surprising wildlife living right in a Sheffield street — foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, and even a swift’s nest tucked close to the residents.
“There will be lots of surprises,” says Michaela, 59. “You might see birds in your garden during the day, but the nighttime activity is really fascinating. The small creatures in the undergrowth are always so interesting, and we hope to inspire people to do more in their own gardens. We’ll offer tips to help insects, worms, and caterpillars thrive.”
Michaela’s affection for the wildlife on the show is matched by her fondness for Chris, her long-time co-presenter and friend. They first worked together on The Really Wild Show in the 1990s. “We’re not just colleagues; we know each other’s personal lives and have grown up on TV together,” she says.
Chris, 64, adds, “We know each other very well, so sometimes we might disagree and the team might think we’ve fallen out — but we haven’t. We don’t get upset; we just move on. Being lifelong friends helps, plus we each have different ways of approaching the job.”
Michaela hopes Springwatch will continue for another 20 years because connecting with nature is vital for mental health and wellbeing. Over her 13 years on the show, she’s witnessed firsthand the effects of climate change on wildlife — a reminder of why their work is more important than ever.
Michaela stresses how vital Springwatch has become in today’s world. “Climate change has altered our planet, and there’s less and less wildlife,” she says. “Over the years, I’ve noticed it’s much harder to find animals to film, even in places specially managed for wildlife. Sometimes even the reserves struggle. It’s so important to keep people connected to nature — that’s what it’s all about. Helping people realize how essential wildlife is, and how good it is for mental health and wellbeing. We’re naturally meant to be connected to wildlife, and losing that connection means losing a part of ourselves as humans.”
Chris agrees, pointing out that Springwatch offers a rare chance to pause and appreciate the small wonders around us. “The show encourages you to stop and notice things in life you might have overlooked,” he says. “I love discovering things I didn’t even know existed, like tree slugs. I’d seen slime trails on trees as a kid but never knew what caused them until I learned these creatures live on the ground by day and climb trees at night — it was a revelation.”
One of Chris’s favorite moments over the years was when Spinless Si, the stickleback fish, became famous across the UK. “If I had to pick one thing that truly captured the show’s success, it would be that,” he shares. “We turned a tiny five-centimeter fish into a national treasure featured on TV, radio, and newspapers.”
Chris believes the show’s appeal lies in connecting viewers to wildlife they can find themselves. “We focus a lot on garden wildlife — animals people already see and share in their communities, like foxes, hedgehogs, blackbirds, or blue tits,” he explains. “Then we reveal the fascinating details of their lives, stories people wouldn’t usually get to see, thanks to the technology we use.”