Category: Factual & Arts TV; bbc.co.uk
Date: 29.06.2005
Printable version
Following the fantastic response to Springwatch, the 91Èȱ¬ and the Woodland Trust have decided to continue their survey of the seasons and will be tracking the arrival of autumn across the UK this year.
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The 91Èȱ¬ tapped into the public's great fascination with British wildlife when it launched its Springwatch survey back in February in partnership with the Woodland Trust.
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The public recorded more than 150,000 first sightings of six key species, making the survey the biggest of its kind in the world, and creating the most complete picture yet of spring unfolding across the UK.
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The survey clearly confirmed the trend of spring coming earlier to the UK, which could spell danger for some native species and migrants as they struggle to survive our changing climate.
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91Èȱ¬ Controller of Learning and Interactive, Liz Cleaver, was overwhelmed by the response generated by Springwatch.
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She said: "Springwatch is a fantastic television programme, but it is much more than a great programme to watch.
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"91Èȱ¬ Learning commissioned it to provide a launch pad for a much bigger initiative that will continue long after the cameras have stopped rolling.
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"Our research has shown that there is huge public interest in helping wildlife, and we have shown people just how easy it is to achieve, whatever time or space is available to them."
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Now, the 91Èȱ¬ and the Woodland Trust hope to retain this mass interest and enthusiasm for British wildlife, and encourage people to continue recording the seasons.
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The public are being invited to take part in Autumnwatch, a natural progression from Springwatch which will build the most complete picture of the season as it unfolds across the UK, helping scientists understand how autumn is changing and what needs to be done to help wildlife thrive in the UK.
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The first three species to look out for are: ripe blackberries (from July to September); ripe hawthorn berries (from late August to September); and swifts leaving on their winter migration (August or September).
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The public can record their sightings at bbc.co.uk/autumnwatch and the results will be shown on 91Èȱ¬ TWO this autumn.
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Neil Nightingale, Head of the 91Èȱ¬'s Natural History Unit, said: "The Natural History Unit is delighted that Springwatch has kick-started 91Èȱ¬ Learning's ambitious campaign to get huge numbers of people helping our nation's wildlife.
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"At a time when our wildlife faces many challenges including our changing climate, wildlife needs our constant support."
