Tuesday 20th to Friday 23rd January 2026 , 7.00pm BBC 2

This year, Winterwatch will be based in a new location: the National trust’s Mount Stewart, on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down, northern Ireland. With Chris Packham , Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams returning as the presentation team.

Filmed on location , Strangford Lough is the UK’s largest sea lough (or lake) and one of Europe’s key wildlife habitats, stretching from Angus Rock at its mouth on the Irish sea, to the vast sand-flats at its northern end 20 miles away, making it the perfect place for Winterwatch to set up camp.