With only a few days to go until Winterwatch returns, the crew are working through rain, sleet, wind and snow to prepare for the live outside broadcast.

Most of 100 strong the team are already in situ on the Mar Lodge Estate in the Cairngorms setting up our production office, rigging, lighting, testing the remote cameras and of course, prepping food for the hungry and cold crews.

Strong winds destroyed the cabin which had been built as our studio - it literally exploded as wind blew inside and pressurised the building, lifting the roof and leaving it in pieces. With time running out and conditions worsening, we made the decision to move the studio to inside the main house - a beautiful Victorian hunting lodge. Something far grander than we're used to!

On Winterwatch, we always hope for snow - the wilder the weather the better as it enables us to tell the real story of how wildlife survives some of the harshest conditions in the UK. Of course, this also means that we have to contend with extreme weather as well! This short video on our Facebook page shows a rather inventive way of getting lorries onto site!

The Winterwatch crew get hands-on with the vehicles

Just getting vehicles onto site has been a challenge

Crew negotiating the Glenshee Pass

The Winterwatch cabin, before the winds came!

Springwatch Feed

Winterwatch returns! And this time it's snowing...