Your guide to a wild night

20.00: The first of the bats - the noctules - emerge just before sunset

There are 14 species of bat in Britain. These include pipistrelle, daubenton's, alcathoe, soprano and noctule

21.00: Look out for elephant hawk-moths

Bright pink elephant hawk-moths are easy to spot. They have a wingspan of 5-7cm, and feed on common garden plants like honeysuckle

22.00: Barn owls will be out hunting - you might see one swoop past

Barn owls grow up to 36cm, and have a distinctive cream, fawn and grey plumage. Their heads can turn 180 degrees so they can look backwards. The average lifespan of a wild tawny owl is five years - although they have been known to live to almost 30 in captivity

23.00: Use a torch to look for daubenton's bats flitting across water

12.00: If you're lucky you might see a hedgehog out looking for insects

Hedgehogs live up to six years, and grow 20-30cm long. An adult hedgehog will have between 3,000-5,000 spines. Spines last for about a year before they fall out

01.00: Use a torch to look for maps around your 'moth sugar' trap

02.00: Prepare to set out to catch the pipistrelles' dawn return