Megan McCubbin pulled out all the stops for Wednesday’s instalment of Springwatch – even if it meant wearing a live-sized plastic bird on her head.
For the third week of the hit BBC nature series, Megan was in the heart of Glasgow at the Botanical Gardens, investigating the wildlife that resides along the river.
She also took a trip to Skomer Island off the coast of Pembrokeshire, where she explored the population of Puffins in the area.
But to do so, she had to get into character and channel her inner Puffin in order to get close enough to catch a good glimpse at the rare water birds.
Megan introduced the segment explaining: “The puffin colony here is booming, thanks in part to a healthy sand eel population close to their breeding sight.
“The fact that these puffins have the ability to go and hunt locally is so important because it gives them more time to focus on socialising and raising their young.
“But to see these charismatic animals in their element I can’t just stay on the land, I have to go undercover in the water as well. Richard Reece is a qualified diving instructor who takes people out to see Puffins in the water here.
“He works closely with the wildlife trust which manages the island to ensure the Puffin’s wellbeing.”
Discussing how they were going to get close to the birds, Reece revealed: “We have one rule and that is the wildlife always comes first. They are very social and the technique of ours is to use Puffin decoys as a way to pique their curiosity.
“I think you are going to enjoy this,” he excitedly exclaimed, before pulling out multiple models of the bird, prompting Megan to ask: “Have I got to put that on my head?”
Laughing at her curiosity, Reece clarified: “We are going to have that on your head and then we are going to have some float next to us as well.”
Despite her new crazy look, Megan shared: “This is outrageous I love it. The jury is out about how scientific my disguise is and it is important to maintain a safe distance from the Puffins at all times, a least a couple of meters.
“But the puffins don’t seem bothered by me being here. From a Puffin’s eye view, it is great to see such a thriving population. I don’t even know how to describe that, took a little while to be accepted but once you were you were just engulfed by thousands of them.”
It wasn’t just Megan who embraced the undercover look, fans also loved it and rushed to social media to share their thoughts.
Taking to X, one viewer @fatterpenguin shared:”#Springwatch Diving while wearing a puffin-decoy hat is a new life goal,” as fan @angegarrod sarcastically joked: “I always wear a plastic puffin on my head ;p #springwatch.”
And a third user @TheMainstand playfully renamed Megan’s new disguise: “Puffin fascinators, #SpringWatch
As another @DowlingWildlife gushed: “Looked like an incredible experience!…despite the questionable attire.”
Commenting under Megan’s video of her experience, which she shared on Instagram, follower @verakimou penned: “That was so funny I hope you got to keep it and one for Chris.”
And a sixth person praised her for her dedication, writing: “This is why we love Megan. Embraces life and whacks on a Puffin hat! You go girl.”