The clocks have gone back and the nights are drawing in. It’s officially cosy blankets, hot chocolates and box set season. But while we’re hunkering down indoors a party is getting going outside, with hedgehogs, bats and moths on the guest list. And we are missing it.
The party’s on your doorstep
We all know getting outside in daylight is great for mental health, but an autumn night walk is even more magical, as nocturnal wildlife comes out to play. That rustle underfoot could be a hedgehog or a snail working its way through the fallen leaves. Deer are often out grazing at dusk in fields and parkland. And listen overhead: redwings and fieldfares arrive from Scandinavia and Iceland to feast on berries and often travel at night.
You don’t need any special kit or a map of constellations to enjoy the dark. Step outside somewhere familiar (flask of hot chocolate in hand), give your eyes a few minutes to adjust and see what turns up: the outline of a tree, darting shapes above (“was that a bat?”), a surprisingly large moon. Leave your phone with its distracting glow in your pocket. And resist the urge to Google – no one is checking whether you can tell a planet from an overenthusiastic star.
Stars, torches and a sensible coat
If you’d like a guided way in, there’s still time to catch the Exmoor Dark Skies Festival, which runs until Sunday 1 November. It’s now in its tenth year, in Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, and has more than 70 events. Think stargazing, woodland walks where UV torches reveal nature in a whole new light, and even a hedgehog craft session.
Nature’s night shift
Many creatures rely on the dark – none more than moths. They clock on just as we clock off, pollinating flowers at night and providing a key food source for bats and birds. But the night is getting brighter. Moth numbers have dropped by a third in the past 50 years according to Butterfly Conservation, and light pollution is part of the problem.
They’re not alone. Hedgehogs are now classed as vulnerable to extinction in Britain, and it matters beyond the animals themselves. These night owls are an early warning sign for the health of our environment, so if they’re struggling, something’s wrong for the rest of us too.
Keep the party going
The good news is that anyone can help, garden or not. Hammersmith & Fulham Council is encouraging residents to throw their own Rewilding Raves, and a doorstep, windowsill or balcony will do. Stack a log pile for a stag beetle hotel, create a bucket pond for frogs and newts (with an exit ramp), or cut a hole in the fence for a hedgehog highway.
For moths, Butterfly Conservation’s Moon Meadows campaign suggests planting pale flowers that catch the moonlight, as well as plants that release their scent in the evening, like honeysuckle and evening primrose. Then turn off the outside lights when you’re not using them and let the night’s regulars, such as bats, owls and foxes, get on with it.
So now the clocks have gone back, by all means light the fire and put the kettle on. Just save a little time for the party outside. The hedgehogs, moths and bats have been at it all night, and there’s still room on the guest list.
The dark isn’t empty. It’s just busy. Pop your coat on and see who’s in.
