Winterwatch is coming to NI location 'teeming with wildlife'
Mount Stewart in County Down will be the venue for Winterwatch 2026, the has announced. Its woodlands, farmland fields, hedgerows and ponds are home to about 10,000 recorded species, and its location on the shores of Strangford Lough will allow viewers plenty of opportunity to spot winter wildlife. The National Trust site suffered massive tree loss during Storm Éowyn in January 2025. The estate team has also made plans to protect its plants and gardens from the predicted effects of climate change . The Springwatch 2025 team has already spent the past week at Mount Stewart and will return for four nights in early January. 'The perfect location' Presenters Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams will be finding out about the latest wildlife updates, with red squirrels, pine martens and badgers all expected to put in an appearance. Songbirds like the linnet, goldfinch and redwing are also frequent visitors to the estate for i...