The UK is almost devoid of what would be classed as “dangerous” or venomous wildlife, lacking apex predators like bears which are more widespread in Europe. Watching wildlife in Britain has become such a favourite that programmes like the BBC’s “Springwatch” are consistently high in the TV viewing charts. Away from the coasts where seals and whales are commonly “watched” and the nationwide birdwatching many of the country’s wildlife species, however, are nocturnal.
As the sun drops below the horizon these native species come to life, adapted to thrive in the darkness. From deer to badgers and foxes to badgers the countryside, and even towns, support a host of creatures. These nocturnal creatures are so intrinsic to British life that some, like the dormouse have become iconic parts of literature including Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Being nocturnal, however, they’re not always the easiest to spot.
While foxes have spread over recent decades to become at home in the urban environment many of our nocturnal species are less widespread and instead inhabit the fields, forests and moorlands of Britain. Camping is an ideal opportunity to watch these birds and animals, away from the light pollution of the towns and cities. Trail cams have become popular over recent years for recording the nightly adventures of deer, foxes, badgers and pine martens, but for live watching nothing beats night vision monuculars.
Nocturnal species are often somewhat wary; turning and running at the slightest sound, which is why trail cams are often used to spy on them, but monoculars that work in the dark allow the camper to watch from a distance where they won’t scare the animals away. High-tec models offer a choice of hand-held or headgear mounted options with built-in infrared spot/flood illumination.
In town, with the lights off, you may spot a fox or a hedgehog foraging in the garden or the iconic “twit-twoo” may point you towards a pair of tawny owls; the “twit” is the female and the “twoo” the answering call of the male. In the countryside, however, these can be supplemented by Red, Fallow, Sika and Roe deer (depending on where in the UK you are) or wild boar in and around some of our forests. Badgers appear from dusk till dawn from their underground setts throughout the UK countryside, while in Scotland the stunning pine marten is undergoing something of a resurgence. The secret to spotting all of these species is to remain stationary and quiet and where possible supplement your natural vision.
On the coast you may hear the surprisingly loud croak of a natterjack toad, while by the riverside you can keep an eye open for water voles. The hedgerows and grasslands can be home to dormouse and glow worms while at night the heathlands and moors are home to the night feeding nightjars with their distinctive call. As the lights across Britain turn off for the night it’s surprising just how much there is to see.