Autumn Equinox and nocturnal animals

Common Pipistrelle Bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) hunting at twilight

Autumn Equinox is when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is such that day and night are equal across the globe. Occurring this year on September 22, it marked the turning point from the brighter half of the year to the darker half, signalling the astronomical beginning of autumn.

From here on in, we will have more darkness than daylight, making this a good time to consider the lives of wild creatures most active at nighttime. Apart from bats, moths and owls, many other creatures also become active as light fades from the landscape. Foxes, badgers, mice, and pine martens are primarily nocturnal, and half of all invertebrates are adapted to life in darkness.