Suffolk’s thriving tourism sector is gearing up for a summer of spectacular success as hordes of holidaymakers are expected to be lured to the county’s coast by the “phenomenal” Springwatch effect.
The economic bonanza for the east Suffolk economy is forecast to be generated by the showcasing of the area’s top British biodiversity hotspot – the RSPB’s world-famous Minsmere nature reserve – in the BBC’s flagship TV natural history series Springwatch. The popular programme begins its third and final series of live broadcasts from the renowned reserve on Bank Holiday Monday next week.
Minsmere’s range of species is the highest of any RSPB reserve in Britain, with more than 5,700 forms of wildlife recorded, including more than 320 bird species, 1,000 butterfly and moth species and 37 kinds of mammal. BBC planners have never been short of material at Minsmere and presenters Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hugh-Games are promising a third series packed with “the very best wildlife action this spring has to offer.”
It all adds up to what tourism experts describe as “unprecedented attention” for east Suffolk – an extra bonus for an area already immensely popular with vast numbers of visitors attracted to the coast’s stunning landscapes in its designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its vast range of internationally important and strongly protected wildlife habitats, its unspoilt beaches and heaths, its well-established tourism infrastructure and its unique charisma.
Amanda Bond, brand manager for tourism organisation Visit Suffolk, said the Springwatch effect had been profoundly beneficial for the area.
RSPB Minsmere was “one of the most unique nature habitats in the world” and the series had encouraged huge numbers of people to visit it.
“The impact has been phenomenal, with visitor numbers up substantially since 2013 and in many cases it has given them their first experience of the county,” she said.
“Undoubtedly this has had a positive impact on the local economy – on both discretionary spend and also sampling our local accommodation offer. In addition to the economic benefits, BBC Springwatch has helped to boost the number of volunteers at Minsmere, which our visitor attractions heavily rely on.
“The entire success of RSPB Minsmere has been in part due to its location, quality of experience and accessibility, attracting visitors from London and the South-East.”
She added of the Springwatch series: “It has given the county unprecedented attention over the last three years, for which we are extremely grateful and we look forward to welcoming more opportunities like this to celebrate what we have to offer here in Suffolk.”
Technicians have begun to prepare for the arrival of the BBC’s production team, with an intricate network of cabling being installed in recent days. Specialist nest-finders have also been scouring the reserve to establish exactly where the best filming opportunities will arise.
Long-lens and remote-controlled cameras will be operated from the production village – a busy temporary encampment teeming with technology soon to be set up on grassland between the reserve’s work centre and the distinctive Springwatch studio that overlooks Minsmere’s Island Mere reedbed area.
A BBC statement singled out four highlights that programme-makers are hoping to include in the final Minsmere-based series.
Intimate insights into the lives of marsh harriers, impressive birds of prey that hunt by stealth over the reserve’s reedbed, were expected to feature. It was hoped to “delve into the lives” of bearded tits – which are also reedbed specialists – and a “burrow cam” would hopefully keep watch on some of the reserve’s rabbits.
Last year’s surprise star was Spineless Simon – a stickleback that was short of a spine – and the BBC said “we’re returning to our underwater camera this spring to see what new personalities are lurking in the depths.”
Third and final series
The BBC has announced a major change to its Springwatch scheduling for the programme’s third and final series from RSPB Minsmere.
Running from next Monday, the BBC Two series continues until Friday, June 17. During the series, however, Springwatch Unsprung, the previously somewhat quirky, less-than-formal and often apparently endearingly haphazard adjunct to the main show, will instead be a precursor. It will again be hosted by Chris Packham but in this series it will begin at 6.30pm. The BBC promises half-an-hour of “live chat, news and quizzes.” The corporation bills Unsprung as a “unique blend of entertainment, interaction and spontaneity”, with the main Springwatch broadcasts scheduled to begin at 8pm.
Springwatch would be “truly multi-platform,” the BBC said. Live wildlife action would be streamed on the Springwatch website, on BBC Red Button and on tablets and smartphones, from 5am to midnight daily, from Monday, May 30, to Thursday, June 16 – a pre-recorded Unsprung is scheduled for June 17. “This is Springwatch Extra, and it’s the place to watch the action as it happens, whether it’s birds fledging the nest – or adders attacking it,” said the corporation.
“Throughout the day Springwatch Extra will offer regular commentary over the live cameras, as well as interviews with wildlife experts who can explain the animal behaviour being seen on screen. We’ll also be encouraging everyone to get involved with the BBC’s volunteering campaign, ‘Do Something Great,’ by getting out to give nature a helping hand and then letting us know by using #DoSomethingGreat’,” the BBC said.
The Springwatch Social media team would be engaging with a wider audience in a number of ways, it added. Engagement could take place online, on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCSpringwatch or viewers could share their spring experiences with #Springwatch
Photos could be shared via the official SPRINGWATCH Flickr group
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