Why is Autumnwatch changing its format?
Autumn is even more of a movable feast than spring, much more spread out. The classic autumn events – the red deer rut, seal pupping and the arrival of migratory birds – are all affected by the weather, or especially in the case of the birds, the direction of the wind. When we were tied to our two-week slot we never had a chance to really celebrate that magnificent spread of autumn wildlife, and to be honest were missing a trick. We never had chance to talk about my favourite time of year, that beautiful period of late summer. Equally, we missed those short days of November when everything is hunkering down for winter. So, this year we’re spreading our eight shows over eight weeks, spreading out Autumnwatch to reflect the whole journey of autumn as it sweeps over Great Britain. It’s nature’s final firework display of the year before everything shuts down for the winter.

The new format will also see your base moving around the countryside rather than staying in one place. Does this mean that you’ll be able to witness more wildlife than before?
Yes, and as always, Autumnwatch is all about nature that is accessible to us all. We understand that the entire country can’t go up to Rum and see red deer, but Richmond Park has red deer, and that’s pretty accessible. I know I’m guilty of thinking that wildlife only likes places that are cut off, remote and away from human civilisation. It’s complete rubbish. Wildlife will go anywhere were there is food, shelter and safety. That’s why the cities are actually great for wildlife. You don’t have to go into the middle of nowhere to see great autumn wildlife. What about your local park, a field or nature reserves? There are reserves slap bang in the middle of London, let alone the countryside. Wildlife isn’t fussy and neither should we be!

When you’re out and about filming do you get to meet many Springwatch and Autumnwatch fans?
I do and the great joy of the shows is that it doesn’t seem to be age specific. We get emails and letters from eight-year-olds and 86-year-olds. A couple of years ago I was at a country fair and noticed a young boy nudging his mum and looking over at me. Eventually, he plucked up the courage to come over and see me. I thought he was going to ask for my autograph but instead he said: “Are you the Autumnwatch lady? Can I tell you about the hedgehog in my garden?” How amazing was that? A young boy wanting to share his wildlife experience. Even if he were just one 10-year-old boy out of a million, he’s still a 10-year-old boy who’s developed a passion for nature. That’s the connection we want.

And is that connection happening with people from town or country?
Does it matter? I’ll probably be saying this until the day I die, but our countryside and our wildlife is for everyone. It doesn’t matter where you live, who you are and whether you’re rich, poor, black or white. Anyone can get out there and enjoy it. What I love about our programmes is that it’s brought together the people who already knew British wildlife was fantastic and those who are learning about it for the very first time.

Of course, one of the big changes for Springwatch earlier in the year and now for Autumnwatch is the fact you have a new co-presenter. How different was it working with Chris Packham after having Bill Oddie by your side all those years?
It was completely nerve-wracking. Whatever you thought about our slightly unusual pairing, Bill and I produced more than 100 hours of live television. It’s fair to say our relationship was like a rather dysfunctional marriage, but I am incredibly fond of Bill. I learnt so much from him, so at first I thought it would be like missing part of myself. We didn’t have to write scripts, because we knew how it would work, and ended up finishing each other’s sentences all over the place. It has to be said that he finished mine a lot more than the other way around!

Did you know Chris before working with him on Springwatch?
That was the funny thing. We ran various screen tests and I knew most of the people who were up for the job so I thought I’d be really torn. Without being disrespectful to anyone else who was up for the job, as soon as I sat down with Chris it felt like we’d been doing it for years. The reason I’m probably so comfortable with him is that he and Bill come from a very similar place. Chris may be a different age and a slightly different shape, but again, he’s a passionate advocate for British wildlife.
Of course I was slightly worried. I knew people were asking if I could do this without Bill and whether Chris could take over in an elegant way, but I don’t think I’m being complacent when the viewing figures seem to say that it worked. Either way, we presenters big up our part in all this. People don’t watch Autumnwatch for us. They watch it for the wildlife and I hope they enjoy the new twist we’re bringing to the series this year.

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