DUSK MEETINGS

The long light evenings of summer mean that our diurnal lives overlap with those of the crepuscular or twilight world, such as bats and barn owls. Hunting for voles and mice over rough meadows, the adult owls have to work hard to feed growing broods of up to five hungry and demanding owlets. If you spot one hunting, stay still and it may fly close, so intent is it on scouring the ground for prey. Our summer podcast from Martin Down in Hampshire last year includes one such encounter; you can listen here: aca.st/d63680