Springwatch presenter Chris Packham flies into RSPB Fairburn Ings

TV presenter and Naturalist Chris Packham pictured at Fairburn Ings, near Castleford.19th July 2018 ..Picture by Simon Hulme

BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham flew into Fairburn Ings as part of a new campaign to investigate the state of the nation's wildlife.

Hundreds of people turned for his visit to the RSPB nature reserve last Thursday.

He visited the site to promote Bioblitz 2018, a national audit of all living creatures across the country.

The campaign uses the slogan “nature reserves are not enough” to encourage people across their country to do their bit for the environment.

With the help of 36 staff and volunteers, visitors were able to identify 507 different species of birds, insects, moths and more across the day.

Sally Granger, Volunteer Experience Manager for Fairburn Ings, praised the campaign and said: “I think it’s really going to help people engage and learn about nature and how to look for different species.”

Chris spent about two hours at the reserve, during which time he gave a speech to visitors and helped to identify the hundreds of creatures observed.

It is hoped that the data collected as part of the Bioblitz will contribute to biological recording across the UK and create benchmark figures to help mark the rise and fall of species in the future.

Chris said: “I want to highlight that the UK’s landscape is in big trouble.

“I need to see it for myself. I’m excited and terrified at the same time.

“I love learning and seeing new places and species but I fear that I will also bear witness to a landscape in huge trouble.”

Chris and his team travelled across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England, visiting 50 sites in just 10 days.

Hundreds of experts, young conservationists and filmmakers were involved in the project

An online fundraiser has so far raised more than £6,800, which will be donated to conservationists, volunteer groups, initiatives and other projects across the UK.