Springwatch hit with backlash over 'evil' man who 'should be in jail' featuring in show

BBC Springwatch was hit with backlash from viewers who felt 'broken' after the programme showed an 'evil' man killing a bird in a harrowing segment

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Springwatch has been hit with backlash for featuring an "evil" man who "should be in jail".

The BBC programme returned to screens, bringing an in depth look at nature across the UK during spring.

Yet one feature on the show cause uproar from viewers who were shocked at the treatment of a bird.

Frank Gardner presented a harrowing report on birds being illegally killed with footage showing a gamekeeper beating a buzzard to death with a stick.

It left many Springwatch fans feeling "broken" and left in "tears".

"It was so hard to watch. Why did that evil little man get a suspended sentence when you had the vile little stain bang to rights?" asked a viewer.

Another said: "Awful, awful the suffering and pain I couldn't watch."

"The footage is just horrific. I saw it a while back and it left me feeling broken, physically sick, in tears and helpless. But these things need to be seen, nothing comes from being silent about the wrongs in the world.

"Keep up the good work exposing these scum!," someone else added.

"Springwatch. I've literally just watched a man trap and beat a buzzard to death with a stick," commented a fourth.

"Springwatch are showing the amount of them being killed..Someone just battered a buzzard to death," another said whilst a fellow viewer called for the gamekeeper to be "jailed".

This year's Springwatch is coming from RSPB Arne in Dorset.

The nature centres come alive at this time of year with rare breeding birds, specialised heathland insects and all six of the UK's native species of reptiles.

Presenter Iolo Williams was unable to return to this series however he is not well enough to carry out his job.

Posting on Twitter, he shared a selfie taken in hospital which showed him wires which connected him to an ECG machine to monitor his heart.

He said: "Unfortunately I can't co-present @BBCSpringwatch this year. I had a stent inserted in April, which released a clot, that, this week, caused an embolism!

"My demise has been greatly exaggerated; thanks to brilliant friends, wonderful family & the excellent @ NHS. Go Megan & team SW!."

Hosts Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan both returned to the popular show.