91Èȱ¬

The everyday life of Norfolk's wildlife has been the basis of live television drama, beamed to the nation from 91Èȱ¬ Springwatch's base at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, near Fakenham.

The prime time nature programme arrived in Norfolk on Monday, 12 May, 2008 to build its HQ in the Norfolk countryside - and for three weeks from Monday, 26 May it put the county on map as a haven for wildlife.

It was a bold move for the award-winning Natural History Unit to move the show from its home on the Fishleigh estate in Devon to Pensthorpe, but the local wildlife proved more than a match for their feathered cousins in the south-west.

Bill shares his Springwatch memories

"It's been very successful [bringing Springwatch to Pensthorpe]," said presenter Bill Oddie.

"People were obviously a little bit nervous that we were coming somewhere new. It's been a 100 per cent success. [The programme] has been the most visually pleasing and full as it's ever been.

Most delightful

"Having a wren's nest in the studio, just above our head with those babies eventually fledging - to be sharing a studio with some of our feathered stars was one of the most delightful things

"It's been a profusion, so much choice - to be honest, great though it was down on the farm we were often worried we wouldn't find enough nests. Here, I've rarely been anywhere where there's been so many choices," he added.

Co-host Kate Humble wasn't so sure about bringing Springwatch so far east, but after three weeks in the county she's fallen for Norfolk's charm.

Kate Humble at Pensthorpe

"I have to say, Norfolk has proved to be a treasure trove as far as birds have been concerned," said Kate, who lives in Wales.

Norfolk has been great

"I think all of us have just feltÌývery happy that Norfolk has delivered so brilliantly for us. So having started off a bit grumpy about having to drive four-and-a-half hours to get here every weekend, I've had to eat my words - Norfolk has been great," she added.

For Bill, Norfolk is the ideal place to experience the plethora of wildlife the UK has to offer.

"I've been coming to Norfolk for a very long time, it was the first place I ever came to as an excursion away from home and I've been coming back ever since, particularly to the north Norfolk coast," said Bill.

"It still is the place I would send somebody if they wanted to get a flavour of British wildlife in general. The variety is perhaps something people don't realise. It's absolutely non-stop, made for enjoying wildlife," he added.

Springwatch 2008 has been one of the most successful seasons for the programme, achieving record audience figures.

Around 50,000 visitors enjoyed the delights of Pensthorpe in 2007, now millions of television viewers have been able to do the same. Springwatch plan to return to Norfolk in 2009.