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Instead of the eight one-hour shows being packed into just two weeks (and in the last three years we've frankly always struggled to find the right two weeks in such a long, rich and varied season), there'll be one show every Friday night over eight weeks.

From the very beginnings of autumn in early October to the onset of winter in late November, we'll be covering more of the beauty, the drama and the spectacle of this protracted and unpredictable season than ever before. So join Chris, Kate, Simon, Martin and Gordon as they reveal what's happening at this crucial time of year for our wild creatures. And of course, discover more about what you might do to enjoy - and help - wildlife where you live.

And yes, although now weekly, the Autumnwatch shows will still be as live - and interactive - as ever. Your comments at the end of Springwatch made it very obvious you wanted it this way.

The live TV shows will be transmitting weekly every Friday night at 9pm and then repeated on Saturday afternoons for families (something we're delighted to be offering this year, having listened to your comments). We also have a new, improved and extended Autumnwatch Unsprung show at 10-10.30pm, straight after the main show.

Every Friday, Autumnwatch aims to set you up for your own wildlife weekend, by showcasing the very best of the wildlife action happening around you and suggesting how best to enjoy this glorious season yourself. The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Weather Centre will join us live every Friday night to provide a weekly, tailor-made wildlife-watching forecast.

As different aspects of autumn spectacle, drama and beauty come to a peak, our presenter team will travel to new wildlife hotspots each week, to be at the right place at the right time to see autumn at its best. Every Friday, Chris, Kate and Martin will return to Autumnwatch's true base - - to report live on the best of their week of field adventures and catch up on the latest news from our ongoing conversation with you the viewers.

Now spanning the whole season, the potential for exciting stories - and opportunities for you to join in - is enormous, as each show seeks out the heart of the autumn wildlife action from that particular week.

As ever, we'll be keeping everyone informed and up to date on UK wildlife news and issues, and hear from you about what you feel passionately about. We're hoping that the audience-led surveys, debates and messageboard discussions will be even more active and revelatory than in Springwatch 2009.

(Remember our Have you heard a cuckoo? viewer survey? We received over 13,000 responses in the end!)

We'll be getting you to help us follow the great changes and movements in our wildlife that so define the autumn, allowing us to get a better picture of what's going on nationwide and helping our scientists and conservation organisations better understand how it all works.

There's so much going on in the autumn, especially now we have a full eight weeks for us - and you - to get out there and soak it all up. Get involved yourself, with the wildlife near you and also with the active and growing community of wildlife people on our website.

Then join the presenter team every Friday night to discover what they've been up to, what you've been up to, and how to get set up for your own weekend of autumn delights. From the last breaths of summer in early October to the first true snaps of winter in late November, Autumnwatch can now, quite literally watch the entire season.

Lets get going! Autumnwatch 2009 starts here .....

Tim Scoones is the Executive Producer of Autumnwatchem>

Autumnwatch 2009
Fri 2nd October - Fri 20th November
9-10pm every Friday night on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ TWO
(followed by Autumnwatch Unsprung 10-10.30pm on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ TWO, plus
a repeat of the main show for family viewing on Saturday afternoons on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ TWO)... and across the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ on regional TV, local radio, on the web... and where you live