Noticing nature from dawn to dusk
Wonderful wildlife at dawn
Blackbird and robin
It's said that 'the early bird gets the worm', and robins and blackbirds are some of the earliest risers. Insect eaters like finches tend to rise later, maybe for their prey to wake up with the warming sun.
Daisies
Like many flowers, the common daisy opens its petals with the rising sun, and are fully awake by midday to attract pollinators.
Deer
Muntjac and Roe deer are increasingly common, and can wander into our parks and gardens. Deer can often been seen grazing at first light before melting away into cover such as dense woodland or bramble thickets.
Become an expert bug catcher
Have you ever noticed how moths just love flying towards the light, especially on a summer evening when you have your windows open? Observing these curious creatures is easy with our step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Hang a sheet
Hang up an old, light-coloured bed sheet vertically outside on a summer evening when it’s dry and not too windy. You could hang it up on a washing line, on a hedge or a tree.
Step 2: Find a light source
Any type of light works to attract moths. You could use a torch, garden lamp or the light from a phone. For best results, make sure that your light is bright enough to illuminate most of the sheet.
Step 3: Light up the sheet and wait for moths
Turn on your light and direct it towards your sheet – moths should begin arriving almost right away. You could bring a camera to take photos to find out which moths are in your garden.
We were inspired by similar activities from BBC's Springwatch and Science Friday. Check out their websites at the bottom of the page for more fun summer activities to get closer to nature.
According to our survey:
- 93% of people notice the change in seasons
- 36% of people would say they're an 'early bird'
- 42% of people would say they're a 'night owl'
Podcast: Things that go click in the night
In this podcast episode, presenter Jo Dyson gets a masterclass in night time photography from astrophotographer, Steven Hanna. Listen to discover how you can use your camera to shed light on the secrets of the night.
Bed in Summer, Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Scotland. He was a poet and novelist. In fact, he wrote Treasure Island (1882), which was inspired by a map of an imaginary island.
By Anonymous
As the dusk transforms into the evening, notice how the sky turns from orange, to red, to a deep blue.
The Sun Has Long Been Set, William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth was really interested in how humans are connected to nature, which he explores in his poetry. Have a go at writing your own short poem about how the sky makes you feel today.
The Cock Crows in the Morn
Cockerels crow in the morning, acting as alarm clocks for other farmyard animals. Can you make a noise like a cockerel in the morning?
Wonderful wildlife at dusk
Tawny owl
Our most familiar owl with a classic call, tawny owl chicks will now be fledging and calling out excitedly at feeding time. They're increasingly common in parks and larger gardens, although the population has fallen in recent years.
Poplar hawkmoth
One of our largest and most distinctive moths. Its wings look like leaves and when it feels threatened, it flashes the most beautiful red patch on its underwings. Sometimes its normal grey colouring has a stunning purple tinge.
Beavers
Beavers are making a slow comeback to UK rivers following re-introductions in Scotland and England. They're secretive, natural flood engineers that feed and build dams in the darkness out of sight of predators.
Elephant hawkmoth
One of the most common garden moths in the UK. The caterpillars adore fuchsias and the adult moths get nectar from honeysuckle, so if you have these plants in your garden there’s a good chance these rainbow-bright insects will visit.
