5 OTHER CREPUSCULAR CREATURES TO SPOT

Go on a daytime recce to find the best path and viewing points. Then head out at dusk to spot some of our best-loved night-time species

TAWNY OWL

(Strix aluco) THE MOST COMMON OF THE FIVE OWL SPECIES IN THE UK FAVOURS BROADLEAF WOODLAND, BUT MAY HUNT ACROSS FARMS AND SETTLE IN URBAN AREAS IF THERE ARE ENOUGH TREES. THE FEMALE ‘TOO-WITS’, THE MALE ‘TOO-WOOS’.

POPLAR HAWK-MOTH

(Laothoe populi) ONE OF 2,500 VARIETIES OF MOTH IN THE UK, THIS SPECIES IS WIDESPREAD ACROSS THE COUNTRY. MANY MOTHS FIND IT HARD TO RESIST NIGHT-SCENTED PLANTS, SUCH AS BUDDLEIA (Buddleja davidii) AND HONEYSUCKLE (Lonicera periclymenum). YOU CAN ALSO USE LIGHT AS A BAIT.

EUROPEAN HEDGEHOG

(Erinaceus europaeus) THE IDEAL HEDGEHOG HOME IS A DRY PATCH UNDER A GARDEN SHED, NEAR A COMPOST HEAP, A HEDGE OR AN UNTIDY PART OF YOUR GARDEN. LISTEN OUT AS THEY SNUFFLE AROUND FOR BEETLES AND EARTHWORMS.

GLOW-WORM

(Lampyris noctiluca) THIS BEETLE USES ITS BIOLUMINESCENT BODY TO ATTRACT A MATE. HEAD FOR GRASSLAND AND DON’T USE A TORCH. FLIGHTLESS FEMALES GLOW BRIGHTEST, EMITTING A GREENISH LIGHT. LARVAE GLOW, TOO, AS DO EGGS.

RED FOX

(Vulpes vulpes) IT’S HARDER TO SPOT A FOX IN THE COUNTRYSIDE THAN IN THE CITY, WHERE THEY HAVE BECOME LESS WARY OF PEOPLE. LOOK OUT FOR THEIR DIAMOND-SHAPED TRACKS OR GREYISH, POINTY DROPPINGS.

Such a perfect sighting of such an extraordinary creature; it makes me feel emotional, like falling in love