Golden Brown
The signs were all there – a new series of Downton Abbey, brand new thriller on a weeknight Hidden starting, and some supernatural thriller getting into full pelt over on BBC3 (The Tides). Who needs leaves to turn a different colour to know that the seasons were changing, let alone Mavis at the water cooler harping on about how we’ve only had one hot day this year and called it ‘summer’? But here’s the real clincher that the nights are drawing in and those vest tops may be used as vests rather than simply tops before too long. Autumnwatch is back.
It’s become something of an institution. Who needs to look out the window when we’ve got Michael Strachan, Chris Packham and Martin Hughes-Games on side to do it for us? And they know exactly where to look for badgers’ sets and nesting sparrows. Funny, if you say their names fast they almost sound like they could be some of the firemen at yesteryear’s Trumpton. There they are, heading out to keep the world at right, ever dependable and making you feel safe in the home knowing they’re out there. Has anyone ever seen the nature trio and the animated firemen in the same room at the same time? Just asking.
“Autumnwatch is about thinking, considering and maybe even acting off the back of what you’ve learnt”
Silliness aside, it’s incredibly heartening to continue to hear and see the UK’s wildlife in the changing seasons. Like going down to the shore and seeing the sea crash against the shingles, knowing that Autumnwatch is coming reminds me of a place alongside the rest of the world, rather than running roughshod over it.
The Autumnwatch season starts with a live broadcast from National Arboretum at Westonbirt, on the trail of wild boar, swarming bats and autumn’s wild harvest, with guest presenter Roy Dennis following the migration of the Springwatch osprey chicks as they leave Britain and head for Africa. Then it’s straight on to Autumnwatch Unsprung for discussion, debate (aka a more heated discussion) and general post show analysis with a studio audience and the Trumpton firefighters – sorry, Chris, Michaela and Martin. So it’s not just watching, it’s thinking, considering and maybe even acting off the back of what you’ve learnt.
A new series of The X Factor may remind me that it’s aiming for the Christmas Number One, and Strictly may give me the nod that’s looking for post-turkey ratings, but sometimes it’s good to stop and have a look at the real seasons. Not just the ones that have a ratings chaser alongside them. See you on the beach with the wind in my hair.
Hidden, BBC1, Thursday 6 October; The Tides, BBC3, Wednesday 5 October; Autumnwatch & Autumnwatch Unsprung, BBC2, Friday 7 October
