As the temperatures drop for another season and the snow begins to fall in the UK, there's no better time to tuck into an episode of Winterwatch as it returns for another season of BBC Two.

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Keeping the UK connected to native wildlife, the stories of this winter will be revealed by presenters Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams live from RSPB Arne in Dorset, while Gillian Burke is at the other end of the UK to witness the fascinating wildlife that calls the Orkney Isles home.

The series will also feature wildlife stories to highlight the diversity of UK habitats and species, stories from passionate people who care for wildlife and mindfulness moments filmed by the country's top wildlife camera operators.

As the new season gears up to explore the wildlife across the UK, who are the presenters leading the series and where have we seen them before?

Here's everything you need to know about the Winterwatch presenters ahead of its return.

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Chris Packham

Chris Packham stood in front of frosted trees. He is wearing a green puffer jacket and is smiling
Chris Packham. BBC/Jo Charlesworth

Chris Packham is a TV presenter and naturalist who is best known for hosting the BBC's Springwatch series. He has been part of the presenting teams on the BBC Two show and its spin-offs, Autumnwatch and Winter, since 2009.

He has also appeared on Celebrity Mastermind, Blue Planet Live and Animal Einsteins, as well as presenting his own documentary, Chris Packham: Asperger's and Me, and CBBC's The Really Wild Show from 1986 to 1995.

Michaela Strachan

Michaela Strachan stood in front of frosted trees. She is wearing an orange jacket and red and black wooly hat. Her hands are in her pockets and she is smiling
Michaela Strachan. BBC/Jo Charlesworth

Broadcaster and singer Michaela Strachan rose to fame in the 1980s for hosting Good Morning Britain, Wide Awake Club and Boogie Box before joining Chris Packham on The Really Wild Show.

She was previously a regular reporter on Countryfile and has presented Digging for Treasure: Tonight, Extreme Conservation, Orangutan Diary and the Springwatch shows, including Autumnwatch and Winterwatch.

Strachan briefly pursued a music career, releasing two hit singles: 1989's HAPPY Radio and 1990's Take Good Care of My Heart.

Gillian Burke

Gillian Burke stood in front of trees. She is wearing a blue jacket and has her hands in her pockets. She is smiling.
Gillian Burke. BBC/Jo Charlesworth

Producer and presenter Gillian Burke previously worked at the BBC's Natural History Unit before moving into presenting, hosting Springwatch and its spin-offs, Nature's Strangest Mysteries: Solved and Thailand's Wild Side.

She was previously a producer on shows for Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel, and while Burke stepped away from the Springwatch shows in 2022 due to scheduling difficulties, she is back for the upcoming season of Winterwatch.

Iolo Williams

Iolo Williams is stood in front of frosted trees. He is wearing a grey and mustard yellow jacket and is looking down at the camera
Iolo Williams. BBC/Jo Charlesworth

Welsh ornithologist and TV presenter Iolo Williams is best known for hosting a number of nature programmes for the BBC, including Iolo's Pembrokeshire, Iolo: A Wild Life, Iolo's Snowdonia and Iolo's Great Welsh Parks.

He also hosts Welsh-language shows on S4C and has appeared on Springwatch since 2010. In 2019, he joined the presenting line-up of Winterwatch.

Winterwatch returns on Tuesday 16th January at 8pm on BBC Two.

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