Springwatch at Sherborne Park at Lodge Park and Sherborne Estate

Over the last year, the bats of Sherborne Park Estate have become the unlikely stars of the BBC's Springwatch series. Discover how rangers keep them safe during the spring.

Hooked beak, sharp claws and piercing gaze. It usually means one thing – a magnificent raptor is about, and Sherborne seems to be the perfect place to see them.

No day’s the same for Anna…from ringing barn owl chicks to working with camera crews.

After the success of Springwatch's debut in May 2017, the team dusted off their cameras, unravelled the miles of cabling and headed back to Sherborne Park Estate in the autumn. From nail-biting nests to helping homeless animals, hop back in time and see what they found.

Now well-acquainted with the wildlife on the estate, presenters and producers alike were keen to see how their favourites had fared over winter. Returning in January, they sought out bats, kites and farmland birds to see how they coped with the changing seasons.

Barn owls thrive in the countryside. From young owlets to to fully grown adults, discover more about their habitats and where you might spot one near you.

Otters populations declined dramatically in the 1950s and 1970s, but thanks to recent conservation efforts their fortunes are on the rise. These special creatures have made a home as several of places, where you can learn more about them and maybe even catch a glimpse of one.

Every species of bat in the UK can be found at places under our care. Some of the rarest and most important bat roosts in the country can be found in our buildings and trees.