MICHAELA STRACHAN: ‘We panic every year in case nothing happens’

Closer catches up with TV presenter Michaela Strachan, 52, as Winterwatch returns, broadcasting from the stunning (but very cold) Cairngorms in Scotland…

What do you look forward to most?

It’s amazing to have that time to immerse ourselves in British wildlife. It’s such a privilege to be out there, and I love the unexpected stuff that just happens and we have to go with it.

What are the Cairngorms like?

It’s such a stunning place, full of wildlife – and very, very cold! We’ve been there for winter before, but never for spring. It makes sense to film in one place for 12 months.

Why do you think people love the … Watch series so much?

I think what really appeals is that we show people wildlife they will find in their back gardens, and we also show the more exotic stuff. You’re going to have to be lucky to get pine martins in your back garden, or a golden eagle on your bird table. That’s the sort of sexy stuff we get…

Do you worry about anything filming-wise?

Every year, we always say, “Oh God, what are we going to get that’s different?” We almost panic a bit, but then something comes up – such as the year when we filmed the story of Simon the Stickleback (who even had his own Twitter account), or the drama last spring of the blackbirds and the little owl in the same barn.

How do you keep warm?

The secret is hand-warmers; you put them in your boots. We also wear ski salopettes or proper outdoor trousers. They’re not glamorous and they don’t look great, but they keep you warm!

You live abroad [in Hout Bay, Cape Town] – how does that work with filming?

Well, I can’t nip home, so I relocate to a hotel – and I’m not going to fib, I quite like that time away from my family [Michaela is mum to Oliver, 13, with partner Nick Chevallier]! I love being a mum and I love immersing myself in home life, but I quite like the contrast. You know, life is about variety!

Is your son into nature?

Most of our holidays are wildlifebased and he gets really into it, but he’s a cricketer; he’s on the field for hours, days sometimes!

You must miss him?

You have to really swallow hard sometimes when you’re missing those important things at school, or an important match. I try hard to make up for it when I’m back. They laugh because they say, “Secretly, you miss the dog more than anything!” It’s a big joke in our house.

Chris Packham looks like fun to work with!

He’s a quirky character! We’ve been working together a long time and we can take the mickey out of each other without anyone getting offended! Chris’ knowledge is also unbelievable, whereas I have to gen up.

How do you relax?

I live on the slopes of Table Mountain [in South Africa] and my big thing is walking with my little rescue dog – she’s a little Jack Russell cross. I walked up there this morning, then ran down. I love it and I’ve come to really value my downtime in a wild place.