Springwatch 2021 is back on BBC Two and this year’s season is made up of 12 episodes. The series is broadcast from various UK locations, with different presenters sharing insight on the best of British nature. Fans may have noticed presenter Megan McCubbin is not presenting alongside her stepdad this year.
Why isn’t Megan McCubbin presenting Springwatch?
Springwatch is a treasured part of the BBC’s evening schedule and it provides the perfect sense of escapism.
With the change in season vast approaching, fans are keen to explore other parts of the country.
Presenters Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan are at Wild Ken Hill in Norfolk for the first episode.
The rewilding project will offer viewers insight into the everyday lives of avocets, barn owls and other birds.
Meanwhile, Iolo Williams gets up close to some red deer at Alladale Wilderness Reserve in Scotland.
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Gillian Burke will venture into the waters of Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland – home of the sea swallow.
Long-standing fans of the series will know that Chris Packham’s stepdaughter, Megan McCubbin, sometimes features on the show.
The zoologist is not listed as one of the presenters for the first episode.
This may be because she has been working on another project, The Self-Isolating Bird Club, that she has promoted on social media.
The 91-hour live broadcast highlighted some of the greatest wildlife and conservationists in the country.
On Twitter she said: “At 9am today, we’ve got our final @SIBirdClub broadcast. 91+ hours of live shows highlighting wildlife and people far and wide. What a thing it’s been! But we’re going out with quite a show…”
She also retweeted a message from the official Self-Isolating Bird Club account, which said: “91 broadcasts and many more hours later, The SIBC has finally come to a close.
“THANK YOU to everyone who joined in and sent us their pictures, videos & more during this pandemic – it has been an incredible honour to share The SIBC community with you.”
However, fans will be pleased to hear she should be a part of Springwatch 2021 at some stage.
She retweeted a photo from presenter Ajay Tegala, which said: “Such a pleasure to be working with the lovely @MeganMcCubbin today, in #Norfolk, on a piece for the upcoming @BBCSpringwatch – it may have rained all day but we kept on smiling!”
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With this in mind, the conservationist could be taking a backseat this season.
According to the BBC’s episode schedule, she will make an appearance in episode eight, airing on June 4.
The synopsis for the episode reads: “There’s theft in the Scottish seas – but do great skuas deserve their reputation as pirates of the skies?
“Megan McCubbin goes to the Welsh border to investigate why restoring peatland bog is so important for wildlife.
“There’s also a live round-up of the wild soap operas playing out in Norfolk and a peek at a secretive owl in Northern Ireland.”
McCubbin made her live TV debut during the 2020 season of Springwatch when she appeared alongside her stepfather.
She moved in with Packham just before the coronavirus lockdown, so she could continue with her work.
The young zoologist went on to feature in the 2020 Autumnwatch and Winterwatch programmes.
Country Living said of Springwatch 2021: “Megan will not be joining her stepdad live this time but will instead be sharing films of a host of conservation projects taking place around the UK, highlighting people who have made a significant difference to individual species.
“Chris Packham will be based with Michaela Strachan in Norfolk.”
Springwatch airs on BBC Two tonight, May 25 at 8pm.