Winterwatch host Iolo Williams had an unexpected on-air moment during the latest episode of the beloved wildlife show 

when a technical blunder led to some lighthearted banter between him and his co-hosts. 

The 62-year-old ornithologist, known for his infectious enthusiasm for nature, was quick to call out his fellow BBC colleagues 

after a failed attempt to share footage from his bird-watching adventure.

The wildlife programme, which returned to screens with its usual charm on Wednesday, had Iolo joined by co-hosts Michaela Strachan and Chris Packham, both in their 50s. 

Together, they brought viewers the latest from their Dorset fieldwork, where they had been tracking the region’s array of furry and feathered residents.

The trio also took part in Winterwatch’s weekly “rapture challenge,” which tasks the presenters with spotting and filming as many birds of prey as possible throughout the week. Aiming to capture a minimum of 13 different birds by Friday’s episode, Iolo eagerly submitted his findings for the challenge. However, his footage didn’t go quite as planned.

Iolo began by showing the viewers a photograph he had taken while out in the field. “Now, you’ve got to take in this photograph very, very carefully. I was out and about and I caught a male and female Peregrine Falcon. Look at that,” he said enthusiastically, presenting the image. But it was clear that the photo didn’t quite meet the expected standard, prompting Michaela to ask, “Are you sure about that?”

Iolo didn’t miss a beat, replying with a grin, “Look at the definition on that!” However, he soon turned his attention to his colleagues, admitting in jest, “I’ve got a bone to pick with the rest of the team because I was the only one out and about. I tried to phone them, nobody came, so that was taken with my little mobile phone.”

Michaela, always quick with a comeback, took the opportunity to defend her colleagues. Later in the day, she revealed that one of their camera operators had actually captured some impressive shots of the very same Peregrine Falcon in Poole. “Fortunately for you, though, one of our camera operators was out and about and they got some great shots of it. I mean, just look at this guy, it’s just a little bit better than yours,” she teased, showing off the crisp, high-definition image.

Unwilling to concede defeat so easily, Iolo responded, “Well, you say great, I would say quite average.” Michaela didn’t back down, replying with a playful tone, “Well, it was there, but look at the close-up!” To which Iolo retorted, “Yeah, it’s still average.” The friendly teasing continued, but eventually, they were able to tick the Peregrine Falcon off their bingo card, reducing their challenge to seven species left to find by Friday.

Despite their lighthearted moment, Michaela was concerned that the foggy weather sweeping across the UK might make it difficult for them to complete their challenge. “Six out of 13 is almost halfway. It’s not bad but we’ve got two days to pull our fingers out,” she said. While still optimistic, she admitted, “You never know by Friday, but I don’t think we’re going to get all 13, let’s hope for at least 10. Shall we go for 10?”

The humorous exchange between Iolo and Michaela was a highlight of the evening, giving viewers a glimpse of the camaraderie and friendly competition that has made Winterwatch so beloved. This series marks Iolo’s return to the show after a challenging health scare last year. The presenter had suffered an unexpected heart attack during one of his regular runs and spent months recovering. Following the heart attack, Iolo underwent surgery to have a stent inserted in his artery, though complications arose, leading to further health issues.

Despite the difficult year, Iolo made a full recovery and is now back to doing what he loves: bringing the wonders of wildlife to television. Speaking about his return to Winterwatch, he expressed excitement, especially after being away from the team due to the pandemic. “I’m very excited. Because of Covid, I haven’t seen the team since January 2020!” he shared.

As Winterwatch continues, viewers can look forward to breathtaking footage of eagles, ravens, badgers, and foxes, captured by hidden cameras in locations across the UK. With the challenge still ongoing and the team working hard to spot all 13 species, it’s clear that Iolo’s passion for wildlife and his sense of humor are as strong as ever, making this series a must-watch.

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