We’re delighted to welcome Springwatch 2026 to Crom Estate - broadcasting live in Co Fermanagh for the very first time. With ancient woodlands, flower-rich meadows and the tranquil waters of Lough Erne, this extraordinary landscape is one of Northern Ireland’s richest wildlife havens.
From red squirrels and pine martens in the trees to otters along the shoreline, and woodland birds to birds of prey overhead, Crom is alive with nature at every turn. Its meadows and oak woodlands also make it a hotspot for butterflies and other insects, adding colour and movement throughout the season.
Join us for a front-row seat to the drama of spring, with unforgettable wildlife moments unfolding across this unique estate.
Featuring wildlife stories
Rosemary Edwards, Executive Producer of Springwatch said:
“Having a main Springwatch base in Northern Ireland has long been an ambition and so it is thrilling that it is finally happening this year. Crom Estate is special because of its great variety of species. We’re hoping to see red squirrels, pine martens, badgers, house martins, and swifts as well as raptors and an impressive array of woodland, hedgerow, and reed nesting birds. And the dramatic vistas that Crom offers is guaranteeing this will be a stunning series.”
Mary McKeagney, Commissioning Editor for BBC Northern Ireland said:
“It’s exciting news that Crom Estate will be the main location for Springwatch 2026, allowing audiences right across the UK to enjoy this jewel in our natural landscape in stunning County Fermanagh. And also to remind some of us here at home what a wonderful biodiverse place we have right on our doorstep. Over the years I’ve been captivated like everyone else by the stories the Watches teams have brought us, allowing us to share the drama, characters, heartbreak and inspirational stories of our natural world. I’m really looking forward to hearing more of those stories from Crom and from people around Northern Ireland and UK.”
Wildlife stars of the show
The ancient woodlands, flower-rich meadows and wetlands of Crom Estate, set along the shores of Upper Lough Erne, are home to an extraordinary cast of wildlife. From red squirrels darting through the trees, thriving alongside pine martens, to otters along the waterways and wild fallow deer roaming the estate, Crom is rich in mammal life. Above and among the trees, woodland birds like jays, chaffinches and great spotted woodpeckers share the space with birds of prey including buzzards and sparrowhawks, while kingfishers and water rails bring flashes of colour to the lough’s edge. The Estate’s meadows and ancient oak woodlands also support a dazzling variety of butterflies, bees and dragonflies.
The vast expanse of woodland at Crom is perfect for red squirrels. Keep an eye out near hazel trees from which they harvest nuts to keep them going through the harsh winter months. Look up high in the trees to spot their homes called ‘dreys’, they look like a rough football sized ball of sticks and twigs.
Although rare in large parts of England, pine martens are thriving at Crom and spotted regularly by staff and visitors alike. The presence of pine martens at Crom is having a negative effect on the presence of grey squirrels.
Otters are shy creatures that travel along the meandering waterways of the islands that make up Upper Lough Erne, searching for food and patrolling their territories. With a keen eye you may be able to spot their trails along the waters edge, you might even find a fish skeleton or a spraint (faeces).
This small brightly coloured bird can be spotted fishing and living along the water's edge. Perched on low hanging branches they suddenly dive into the water catching small fish in their beaks. They are extremely fast and sometimes all you will see is a flash of blue.
Sparrowhawks are a small agile bird of prey, easily catching small species of bird through ambush or sudden changes of direction. Male sparrowhawks are smaller than their female counterpart. They have been seen around Crom perched on tree branches, estate fences and even gates.
These birds make their presence heard, you are lucky if you spot one. Woodpeckers make their homes in trees, their drumming beat rings high up in the canopy as they mark their territory, warning off their potential rivals.
These beautiful orange butterflies have silver streaks on its underside, adults can usually be seen on the wing from June – August. The woodland ride on Inisherk Island is a good spot to find them. During butterfly survey season of 2025 over 80% of all silver-washed fritillary recorded in Northern Ireland where at Crom Estate.
These wetland birds can be spotted hanging out the fields and wet grasslands that border the shores of Upper Lough Erne. These birds are easily identified by their vertical crest. During breeding season the males can be seen on the wing displaying to impress the females.
Crom is home to multiple families of badgers, they are social animals living in underground homes for many generations. You can spot signs of their setts as they leave well-worn tracks along their routes. Badgers can been seen at Old Castle Ruins and in the Culliaghs woodland walk.
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Be a wise wildlife watcher
Wildlife watching can be so rewarding, but it’s important to do it in a way that doesn’t disturb the species you want to see or damage the landscapes that they need for food and shelter.
Here are 3 top tips to help you see more wildlife and look after the places they live.
Keep your distance – don’t get too close to whatever species you are watching. Your presence could scare them and stop them in their tracks or frighten them away.
Activate your stealth mode – Silence is golden, and the aim is to go unnoticed by the wildlife you are watching. Move quietly, and don’t hang around in one place for too long.
Leave no trace – make sure you are not damaging the spaces that our species call home, and everything they need to live and thrive. Leave plants and vegetation intact, take your litter home and don’t light fires or barbecues.
Discover more at Crom
Find out when Crom is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
