Richard ParrIt's presence has been a major boost to Norfolk's reputation as a nature hotspot and yesterday Chris Packham, presenter of the popular BBC Springwatch programme, told how he hopes it will return to the county for a third series.Richard Parr

It's presence has been a major boost to Norfolk's reputation as a nature hotspot and yesterday Chris Packham, presenter of the popular BBC Springwatch programme, told how he hopes it will return to the county for a third series.

The show has been a major boost for Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, where it is filmed, but yesterday Mr Packham was turning his attentions to the RSPB's Titchwell Marsh nature reserve, near Thornham, to host the first of a number of hour long guided walks.

Speaking to the EDP, Mr Packham, who presents the show alongside Kate Humble and Simon King, said: 'There are certainly no plans not to return with a third Springwatch series filmed at Pensthorpe and the BBC have started to talk to me about the show, which means it has probably been commissioned for next year.'

He said the people at Pensthorpe, near Fakenham, were great hosts and incredibly friendly, co-operative and generous in their time.

'The reserve at Pensthorpe is a super site it has a great diversity of habitats and this year, when we were filming, there was more than we could use in the programme,' he said.

'The team have been at Pensthorpe twice and that means that the production crews know the site and what it has got to offer. I won't be part and parcel of those talks until after Christmas, but I would personally love to return to Pensthorpe.'

He said he considered Norfolk an ideal base because it offered such wildlife riches and the only other place comparable would be the Isle of Mull in Scotland, but the logistics of setting up the filming operation there probably ruled it out.

Mr Packham said the Titchwell location has now become the RSPB's most popular reserve in terms of visitor numbers, taking over from Minsmere.

He added: 'I come to Titchwell about three times a year but I always look forward to coming here because it is such an incredible part of the country. And we have had some fantastic times here over the years. The scope of the place is amazing because of the varied habitats it has.'

Yesterday's series of walks took place during the height of the autumn migration period for birds and Mr Packham was able to entertain his groups with stories about his encounters with birds and wildlife during his travels around the world.