Springwatch viewers’ horror at massacre of baby woodpeckers on telly wildlife show
Harrowing squawks troubled millions watching as predator raids birds' nest and slaughters four chicks on BBC show
VIEWERS of wildlife show Springwatch were horrified to see a stoat on a killing spree.
Harrowing squawks could be heard as the weasel-like creature raided a woodpecker’s nest.
It then poked its head from a hole in the tree, licking its lips, before dragging out a chick.
Presenter Michaela Strachan, 50, had warned of the “gruesome” footage.
And co-host Chris Packham, 55, admitted that for the young woodpeckers it was like “being in a phone box with a terminator”.
Earlier on Wednesday’s episode, the stoat failed to prey on great tit chicks, and had previously been seen killing rabbits.
Viewer David Potts tweeted: “Don’t care if the stoat is doing what comes naturally — I don’t like it. It’s Jack The Ripper.”
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Jonny Huntridge added: “That stoat should be called Hannibal.”
Last night a BBC spokesman said: “We are witnessing amazing, natural animal behaviour on Springwatch and viewers know that we always show this as it really happens.”