Winterwatch 2026: A Year of Resilience at Mount Stewart
The picturesque estate of Mount Stewart on the Ards Peninsula in Northern Ireland is set to host BBC Winterwatch 2026, marking the first time the popular wildlife series has been broadcast from the region. A year after Storm Éowyn caused widespread devastation, viewers across the UK will witness the astonishing recovery of nature on the estate, despite the loss of over 10,000 trees during the storm.
Presenters Share Stories of Winter Wildlife
Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, and Iolo Williams will lead the series, bringing stories from across the UK about the wonder of winter wildlife. Their focus will be on how nature at Mount Stewart has not only survived but thrived in the aftermath of the storm. The team will highlight the ecological benefits of the storm’s impact, showcasing how fallen trees and exposed root plates have created new habitats for a variety of species.
Ecological Benefits of Storm Damage
“Trees don’t live forever,” explains Toby Edwards, National Trust Area Ranger at Mount Stewart. “But there are positives that have come from the storm-related destruction and subsequent repair.” Edwards points out that a woodland needs to be rich and diverse, with varying age structures, light levels, and habitats. The fallen trees, with their root plates exposed, have created new bare soil and wet hollows, teeming with life.
“What we’ve got here now is some new bare soil, and if you look underneath, we’ve got this fantastic little wet hollow,” says Edwards. “This is where all of your larvae of beetles and flies are going to be, providing food for amphibians. When they hatch out, they feed birds, small mammals, and the larger predators like pine martens and birds of prey.”
Future Adaptations at Mount Stewart
With climate change making extreme weather events more frequent, the National Trust is preparing Mount Stewart for the future. The gardens, established by Edith, Lady Londonderry, in the 1920s, are now facing challenges due to rising sea levels and increased salinity. The trust is moving the significant plant collection from the front of the estate, which faces Strangford Lough, further inland to protect it from changing water levels.
“With sea level rise and extreme weather events, water levels in the lower formal gardens are changing,” says Edwards. “They’re potentially going to become more saline, and the water level is going to rise as well. So we’re looking to move the whole collection steadily inland into the center of the estate.”
New Discoveries at the Estate
Since the National Trust acquired the surrounding lands at Mount Stewart a decade ago, the team has been uncovering the estate’s nature recovery potential. They have discovered several new species that haven’t been recorded in Northern Ireland for decades, including the screech beetle. These findings underscore the resilience and adaptability of nature in the face of environmental challenges.
The Importance of Winterwatch
BBC Winterwatch has long been a platform for showcasing the beauty and resilience of UK wildlife. This year, the series takes on added significance as it highlights the adaptive strategies of nature and the proactive measures being taken to protect it. The broadcast from Mount Stewart will not only entertain viewers but also educate them about the delicate balance of ecosystems and the impact of climate change.
As Packham, Strachan, and Williams guide viewers through the stories of winter wildlife, they will also emphasize the importance of conservation efforts and the role each of us can play in protecting our natural world. The series serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, nature has an incredible capacity to recover and thrive.
Conclusion
Winterwatch 2026 promises to be a compelling series that combines the wonder of winter wildlife with the urgent need for environmental action. Through the lens of Mount Stewart’s recovery, viewers will gain a deeper appreciation for the resilience of nature and the importance of sustainable practices. As the estate continues to adapt to the challenges of climate change, it stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the natural world.
