Autumnwatch article - "Bill & Co wing their way back"
26/10/2007 00:00 GMT

Posted by lisa

The following article appears at http://icseftonandwestlancs.icnetwork.co.uk/icormskirk/news/tm_headline=bill-co-wing-their-way-back&method=full&objectid=20002524&siteid=60252-name_page.html:

Bill & Co wing their way back
Oct 25 2007
by Sarah Gaffney, Ormskirk Advertiser


AUTUMNWATCH is back on our screen in just over a week’s time.

Bill Oddie and Kate Humble are returning to West Lancashire with their BBC2 show filmed live from Martin Mere, Burscough.

The presenters will be at the centre every day, from November 5 to 15, filming all day events such as the bird migration at the mere and on the nearby coast.

As well as featuring the centre’s famous Whooper Swans there will be a specially designed Duck Cam floating on the mere.

There will also be infra-red cameras watching the beavers and the Super Whoopers’ progressed will be checked. They are the seven Whooper Swans who have been fitted with satellite tracking equipment so their progress from Iceland can be tracked.

Andy Wooldridge, centre manager, said: “Everyone at the centre is really looking forward to having Bill and Kate back here during Autumnwatch as the programme was so popular last year, averaging four million viewers a night.

“At this time of year, thousands of Whooper Swans and Pink Footed Geese gather on the reserve to form spectacular feeding flocks; the sound is amazing and will make very good viewing.”

During Autumnwatch there will be swan feeds everyday at 3pm and 3.30pm, a daily Autumnwatch tour at 1pm and a beaver talk at 2pm.

Visitors to the centre will be able to look inside the studio and chat to BBC personnel on Friday, November 9 between 10am and 12pm.

The BBC Radio Lancashire Bus will also be parked at Martin Mere for two weeks during filming.

For more details log onto www.wwt.org.uk/visit/martinmere