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BILL ON THE BLOG : "One of the most agreeable aspects of spending the week doing Springwatch is NOT reading the newspapers. Not that they don't have papers in Norfolk, it's just that I choose to do without them. Let's face it, 90% of the news is dire and dreadful, not least when it comes to the environment, both nationally and internationally. In fact, I've come to believe that one of Springwatch's major contributions to its audience is to act as a reminder - and indeed a celebration - of the magic of nature and wildlife.

That doesn't mean avoiding sadness - baby birds die, or are taken by predators and the case of barn owls they have even been known to eat one another! There is also certainly violence - males battling for territory or a mate, there is also sex! And yes we sometimes see the 'act' itself, as performed by stags or house sparrows. I, Kate or Simon have become reasonably deft at euphemistic, albeit inevitably raunchy, descriptions of what goes on. It's not been a problem. Until last week!

Imagine my surprise at being told about - and in some cases shown - a number of papers featuring headlines such as 'viewers rage at smutty Oddie'. Here were photos, cartoons, and articles, from the Daily Sport to the Independent. The whole thing was started, as is often the case, by the Daily Mail, who had noticed a conversation you were having in a messageboard discussion and the rest of the press then 'picked it up', as they say in Fleet Street.

If you want the true facts you certainly won't find them in the papers. The 'gist' maybe, but not accurate details. For those come to me. Here's a few. The "massive viewers complaints" actually came from a vociferous minority... what percentage is that of a 4 million audience!?

One of them was quoted as having heard me use the phrase 'have his wicked way'. I'd never say that. I don't regard sex and procreation as wicked! I did use the word 'horny' to describe a stag beetle mounting it's mate. Stag beetles have 'horns' or 'antlers'. It was a pun. Apparently, the offended viewer was asked by his 10 year old daughter "What does horny mean?" Why didn't dad just tell her!? He could've stuck to the anatomical or the hormonal definition - or both. Neither of which would come as much of a shock to her, I'd imagine. I was also chastised for describing a female sparrow as "asking for it" and experiencing a "wing trembler", Which described the action pretty accurately I'd say. However, if you want the scientific account, here it is.

House sparrow fledglings - like many birds - tremble their wings to beg for food. When an adult female is ready to mate, she does the same thing. It is known as a 'submissive gesture'. It is, if you like, the birds equivalent of human lovers 'baby talk'. The wing trembling is literally her indication to the male that she is indeed 'asking for it'. The sexual act itself is very brief. The male hops onto the females back. She in turn lifts her tail to expose her cloaca, her reproductive organ. He deposits a quick dab of sperm to fertilise the eggs that she will lay, if the whole has worked according to plan and nature. As far as I know we have no reason to believe that either bird enjoys the experience purely for pleasure. Aren't we lucky to be human?

Last week, for me and Kate, was a constant joy. So much happening. So many wonderful pictures. We even felt happy for Simon when he saw a wild cat so easily. But we are jealous of him. Our turn now please! I doubt we'll get a wild cat in Norfolk, but there is bound to be something we don't expect. The sun maybe? And I don't mean the newspaper....."

Bill Oddie
Sunday 1st June