Over four million viewers are expected to tune in every night when the BBC Springwatch series, hosted by Bill Oddie, the ex-Goodie who has become Britain's most famous birdwatcher, the equally well-known host Kate Humble and wildlife expert Simon King, returns to the screen in May.

Roving reporter King, who was on location in Islay last year, will be providing regular updates of wildlife goings-on from the strath, whilst his co-presenters will be based in Norfolk.

Local business leaders believe that Springwatch will provide a great showcase for the area when it starts its fourth series on May 26 on BBC 2.

Show spokesman Ben Aviss said: "Badenoch and Strathspey's rich variety of endangered wildlife and the friendly community atmosphere are two of the many factors that have drawn the Springwatch team here.

"In fact, when Simon was asked where he would like to go if this was to be his last ever Springwatch, he immediately chose Strathspey.

He added: "Fortunately, we think that Simon will be with the show for a long time to come yet."

The BBC2 team will be filming the vast wealth of wildlife stars found in the area – and revealing hidden secrets as they delve into the animals' lives.

Mr Aviss said that the strath was an ideal spot for their nature show, which will run Monday to Thursday: "Within a relatively short distance, you can move through a wide range of habitats; from the rugged mountains of the Cairngorms, down river systems that flow through the Caledonian Pine forests, all the way to the coast in the Moray Firth.

"This habitat is a sanctuary for many native species, including capercaillie, Scottish crossbill, pine martens, ring ouzel, dotterel, snow bunting and the Scottish wildcat."

He said that the biggest challenge of all would be to capture on film the wildcat which could once be found across the UK, but since Victorian times they have only survived in Scotland in habitat margins between mountain and moorland and forest and field.

They remain under threat due to continuing loss of their habitat, inter-breeding with domestic and feral cats, predator control legal and illegal such as poisoning, and spread of disease.

"This enigmatic native mammal may be near extinction in the wild, if the reports which indicate only 400 pure wildcats remain are true," said Mr Aviss.

"Although the odds are stacked against us, Simon and the rest of team are hoping to raise the profile of this rare cat, by capturing it on film to show the British public."

A new wildcat survey was launched last month at the Highland Wildlife Park, near Kincraig, by Scottish Natural Heritage – the first in 20 years – to try and establish the remaining numbers of the mostly solitary species as part of a project to protect their declining population.

Whilst the hunt to film the Scottish Wildcat in the wild is one of the main missions, there are many other stars of the natural world that Springwatch hopes to feature this time.

Springwatch presenter Simon King (front) with the show's producer, Stuart Armstrong.

They include many of the birds that are unique to the Arctic tundra of the high-tops of the Cairngorms and the Caledonian Pine Forest which used to cover most of Scotland but of which only around 1% remains.

King and the show's producers were scouting for locations yesterday (Tuesday) in Badenoch and Strathspey, and paid a visit to the Cairngorms.

As part of the show, the team will be rigging cameras into nest boxes of crested tits and goldeneye ducks, as well as filming spectacles such as 'lekking' capercaillie and black grouse.

Other stars will be the ospreys which migrate to Strathspey from Western Africa each spring to raise a family.

The Springwatch team will be hoping that the resident lovebirds at Loch Garten, Henry and EJ, produce as much drama as last year – but this time produce some chicks later in the season.

They also want to capture pine martens on camera – they are widely found in the strath but are also notoriously difficult to film. The females should just be starting to bring their kits out of the den into the outside world during the time Springwatch is live.

King will also be heading just north of Inverness to film the bottlenose dolphins that inhabit the Moray Firth.

Kirstine Davidson, who is also working on the show, said: "The dolphins provide fantastic visual displays as they breach the surface when hunting fish, and Simon hopes to transmit live images of this spectacle.

"The first common seal pups of the year may well be arriving into the world whilst the team are on the Black Isle, and the fish are also an important food source for them."

The Cairngorms Chamber of Commerce is delighted the popular show is coming to the area.

"Money can not buy this kind of publicity. It will be great for the area having the Springwatch coming from our area, and it is something that the chamber whole-heartedly supports," said a spokeswoman.

* The Springwatch team are keen to find out about any interesting wildlife stories locally. It may be an otter that you regularly see whilst walking your dog, or perhaps you know where Simon can see a crossbill nest.

They are also eager to hear of any stories, sightings, or signs of wildcat in and around the Strathspey area, no matter how old the information.

If you have any details about any wildlife that the team might be interested in filming then e-mail either ben.aviss@bbc.co.uk or kirstine.davidson.01@bbc.co.uk or contact them by phone on 0117 9747609 or 0117 9742304.

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