Mount Stewart Takes Centre Stage for BBC Winterwatch

14th January 2026

This January, Winterwatch 2026 is taking centre stage from a brand-new location: the stunning National Trust’s Mount Stewart estate on the shores of Strangford Lough, County Down.

Why Mount Stewart Was Chosen -

• The estate is a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 10,000 recorded species - including its mixed woodlands, hedgerows, ponds, fields, and the tidal lough islands - making it ideal for winter wildlife viewing.
• With varied habitats from ancient ghost‑ponds and farmland to shoreline marsh and woodland, it offers excellent chances to spot resident wildlife and incoming migrants.

What Viewers Will See -

• Over four broadcast nights in early January starting on Tuesday 20 Jan, presenters Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, and Iolo Williams will showcase Mount Stewart’s winter wildlife highlights - red squirrels, pine martens, badgers - and flocks of songbirds like linnets, goldfinches, and redwings drawn to berries and seeds.
• Strangford Lough, the largest sea‑lough in the British Isles, also factors in - teeming with wintering ducks and geese feeding on its rich grasslands.

Behind the Scenes

• Multiple live cameras will be positioned across the estate to capture real‑time wildlife action, alongside filmed features from other UK locations.

Winterwatch returns Tuesday 20th January at 7pm on BBC Two | Winterwatch 2026 - BBC