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How Springwatch is made

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The Mole | 16:11 UK time, Monday, 25 May 2009

Every morning Springwatch's core production team and the on-site presenters gather to discuss that evening's programme. What took me by surprise (but, in retrospect, shouldn't have) is how much the presenters contribute, constantly coming up with different ideas for content and possible improvements to the programme structure. But it can also get quite competitive...

Ten minutes in, Kate Humble claims 'a gold star' for suggesting that an hour be put aside each day for filming the following day's trail. It is an excellent idea and the theoretical star is awarded.

Up for the challenge, Chris Packham thinks hard and ... suggests we all take an early lunch. Although this is undoubtedly a popular idea we have only been here fifteen minutes and it's not yet eleven o'clock. Still one-nil to Kate.

But Chris' credit rating soon shoots up when someone mentions the word 'papilloma virus' and he is able to translate it as 'viral '. Unfortunately, The Mole was still thinking about the possibility of an early lunch and missed hearing who exactly had the aforementioned viral warts. Was it an animal? A presenter? Was it someone sitting close to me? As someone then suggested buying a 'verruca sock' perhaps all will be revealed tonight...

In keeping with the theme of limbs and affliction, Chris goes on to mention a spider that lives in his house and which he suspects has leprosy as it is missing two legs. (Your friendly Mole was going to suggest it might actually be a beetle, but decided against it as Chris was wearing a T-shirt with the words "" on it and he felt a little intimidated.)

Looking at a draw, Chris goes out on a (perhaps leprotic) limb and says he likes the idea of creating an insect leper colony which would - unavoidably - be populated mainly by . There is a murmur of approval and Chris is in the lead.

Not to be outdone, Kate suggests that someone should start a flying school for insects that are rubbish at flying, such as and . Heads nod and Kate has two stars.

Finally someone remembers that a programme needs making and thoughts turn to Simon King's polecat challenge.

ma_polecat_main.jpg
"What we want," says Chris, "is a really good poster shot of a polecat. Hopefully looking a bit like ... but before the accident."

It is a draw.

And that, folks, is how Springwatch is made...

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