Q&A: Kate Humble

Lily Barclay goes behind the scenes at BBC's Springwatch with presenter Kate Humble

Q:
What’s new on Springwatch this year?
A:
Everything! Bill and I have a new home in Norfolk, and a new home means new species so we are getting live views of birds on the nest. That's something we’ve never been able to get before, so it's really exciting.
Q:
Have you been surprised by the programme’s popularity?
A:
I think we are all surprised at how popular it is, but, if you think about it, lots of people are fascinated by our natural world, particularly by what's on their doorsteps and they also love soap operas. Springwatch combines the two, with a bit of comedy and mayhem thrown in - maybe that’s why people like watching.
Q:
This year you’ve focused on the conservation of UK marine life. Did you discover anything that shocked or surprised you?
A:
Yes - the most shocking thing I discovered was that 75 per cent of the fish caught in British waters is exported and eaten in other countries. And 75 per cent of the fish that we eat here in Britain is imported.

This has got to change if we are to properly protect our marine environment for future generations of fishermen, wildlife and people who simply love the sea.
Q:
Your co-star Bill Oddie was urinated on by a cow during a live news broadcast last year. Has anything embarrassing happened to you that has been caught on camera?
A:
Not really, I get uncontrollably giggly at times but I confess I’m not terribly embarrassed about that!
Q:
Have you noticed any effect on British wildlife from the increasingly changeable nature of our seasons?
A:
Spring is a very moveable feast and some things benefit and others don’t, but that can change every year. We are beginning to see more exotic species both on land and at sea, and we are also seeing the range of certain species increasing.
Q:
Did you have any favourite wildlife characters from last year’s programme and do you know how they’re getting on?
A:
One of the stars of last year, although you might be right in thinking he was the star of a horror movie, was Hannibal, the barn owl chick who managed to satisfy his enormous appetite by eating most of his siblings! Hannibal is now back in the box that he was born in with a female who has just laid her third egg, so watch this space.
Q:
Last year, a wet spring made it one of the worst on record and drove the desperately hungry barn owl chicks to eat each other. Do you find it difficult to watch situations like this without intervening?
A:
No - although it can be difficult to watch something like that, what we are watching is nature. We haven’t caused that situation and it is not up to us to rectify it, however unpalatable that may seem. We are simply observers.
Q:
Do you have any advice or tips for people wanting to attract more wildlife to their gardens?
A:
There are so many ways to attract wildlife to gardens of all sizes, from putting up birdfeeders to building ponds. The Springwatch website has lots of information.
Q:
Working with birds and animals means that nothing is guaranteed and they don’t always behave how they should. How does this affect live broadcasts?
A:
Well, it means that the live broadcast really is truly live and however much we rehearse and plan we are, in the end, in the hands - or should that be the wings - of our stars!