Creatures of the night

On 2 November we have a family event as part of the North Pennines Stargazing Festival. Join us at Bowlees Visitor Centre for an adventure in the dark, to discover the creatures of the night. Suitable for ages 6+.

Jack Ravenscroft, our Access and Recreation Field Officer, and Chloe Hedley, our Community Engagement Trainee on the Tees-Swale programme, tell us more:

What does nocturnal mean?

If a creature is described as nocturnal, it means that their main active period, when they are foraging for food or hunting, is during the night. During the day, a nocturnal animal is likely to be hiding somewhere out of sight and resting, just as we do at night-time. Some animals are active at dawn and dusk and they would be described as ‘crepuscular’.

Why are some creatures nocturnal?

The best reason for being nocturnal is that the lack of light means creatures can move about unnoticed. For a forager such as a wood mouse, this gives it more protection from predators. On the other hand, a hunter such as a tawny owl can use the cover of darkness to better sneak up on its unsuspecting prey.

How have nocturnal creatures adapted to being out at night?

Being active at night is a challenge for the senses. Some creatures such as barn owls have eyesight which is specially adapted for low-light conditions. Other creatures might boost other senses to compensate. Hedgehogs have a keen sense of smell as well as sensitive hairs which fringe their bodies., allowing them to feel their way around in the dark. Mice have hearing which extends into ultrasonic frequencies, so they can tell when predators are around. With all these keen ears listening in, it’s important for hunters to keep quiet and that’s why owls have soft, serrated edges to their feathers to make them silent in flight.

What nocturnal creatures might we expect to see in the North Pennines AONB?

In the North Pennines AONB, there are different landscapes which are home to nocturnal creatures. The moorlands are home to many species of moth, with amazing names, such as the Common Pug, True Lover’s Knot or Heath Rustic. Also on the high fells you might see short-eared owls. Unlike many species, short-eared owls are active during the day and the night.

Barn owls swoop over areas of rough, unimproved grassland hunting for voles, while tawny owls will be seen in wooded areas, and often in and around the villages of the North Pennines. The lowlands, with their patchwork woodland, farmland and hedgerows, play host to bats such as the pipistrelle.

How can we observe nocturnal creatures?

We can use many techniques to help us observe nocturnal creatures, and some of them can even be used while we are tucked up in bed! Longworth traps are used to ethically capture small mammals, and are really good for carrying out population surveys. Moth traps use ultra-violet light to lure moths in, so they can be observed and released in the morning. Camera traps can be used to look for larger creatures. They are triggered by movement and use infra-red light to allow us to capture video in total darkness.

If you would like to see some of these methods of observing our nocturnal friends, and find out more about the ways these incredible creatures use the darkness, come along to our family-friendly event.