BBC Springwatch viewers 'distracted' as they express concern for Megan McCubbin: 'Coping so well!'

McCubbin was left batting away at the hundreds of midges

BBC
Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 04/06/2024

- 21:48

Fans were worried about Chris Packham's stepdaughter during the episode

Springwatch viewers were left very "distracted" during Tuesday night's episode as some of the presenters were left batting away at thousands of midges that swarmed Loch Lomond.

Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Megan McCubbin were back with more from the live show, with McCubbin presenting once again from the Scottish loch.


Monday's episode, which saw the 28-year-old called out by viewers for her pronunciation of "loch," also showed scenes of her covered in midges as she presented, and on Tuesday she was left battling with even more swarms of the tiny flies.

After she was introduced on the episode, she addressed the issue as she explained: "Well, it's very bio- diverse up here - but the abundance of one species is certainly catching my attention.

"It did on social media too last night because we caused a storm with the hundreds of thousands of midges that swarmed our team as we were trying to connect with nature."

As the camera cut to behind-the-scenes footage of the team plastered in midges, she added: "We'll show you the very best of it... You can see the midge nets on the head.

Megan McCubbin

McCubbin starredalongside her stepdad Packham in Springwatch

BBC

"And I can tell you when I whipped that off literally one or two seconds before chatting with you - it was quite intense.

"But we are braving midge-ville for another night because, I mean how could we not?"

Gesturing at the vast nature surrounding her, she continued: "This beautiful location - we've come to this stream which feeds into Loch Lomond."

As she talked about the issue of pollution in rivers, the midge problem was once again addressed by a guest on the show.

Doctor Peter and Megan

The team were distracted by the flies

BBC

"I'm really pleased to be joined by Doctor Peter, who is a researcher at Glasgow University, to learn a little bit about them," she detailed as she walked through the wooded area, trying to duck from the flies.

"Yes, sorry - I can barely see you for the midges," the doctor joked as McCubbin responded: "I know, it's bad!"

Fans were also concerned about the thousands of bugs, and many took to social media to make suggestions for the team as they admitted they were "distracted".

Taking to X, one person wrote: "@BBCSpringwatch kudos to @MeganMcCubbin and the fab team. I’m distracted and itchy just watching them up there! #midges #Springwatch."

"Hats off to @MeganMcCubbin, not only for presenting like she's been doing it her whole life, but also for braving a Scottish midge frenzy whilst the other presenters are out in the sunshine #Springwatch," another stated.

"@MeganMcCubbin Hi Megan you and your team need a product called skin so soft its a natural product and believe you me, it works Midges love me , it was recommended by some Army soldiers on Hadrians Wall .Avon make it comes in a handy spray bottle," a third recommended.

Another echoed this, adding: "@MeganMcCubbin have you tried Avon "skin so soft", which is supposed to be good at deterring mosquitoes- may work for midges? love Springwatch, thank you."

"Those midges are doing my nut and I’m not even there #Springwatch," another admitted.

"Thy are doing so well coping with the midgies #SpringWatch," someone else commented, to which a different fan replied: "I'd have my headnet on in a flash." (sic)

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