What a beautiful night we had on Saturday 8th August! It was warm and windless on the reserve and the stars shone brightly in the cloudless sky. On arriving at the centre, everyone who brought a torch with them covered the light in red cellophane – this was to try and prevent scaring the night time wildlife as they are unable to see red light. Children created candle bags with their wishes for nature and guessed the names of the stunning moths we had caught the night before.
We went out on the walk just as the sun was setting and enjoyed watching the reserve become bathed in light as the sun dipped below the horizon. Along our walk we heard the crickets chirping and spotted slugs, newts, spiders, moths and rabbits. We had baited an area for badger but none were to be seen – they are very shy so it would have been a rare treat.
We headed up to the highest point on our reserve for some star gazing, as the sky was now fully dark and the stars were out. The reserve was incredibly silent that night as we sat and listened for noises, not many were heard except the faint rustle of things in the bushes and the occasional quack of a duck.
Back in the visitor centre, we released the moths and enjoyed a hot chocolate topped with gooey marshmallows to end a wonderful evening out on the reserve. I think everyone really enjoyed the rare opportunity to see Dungeness in the dark!
Checking out the moths from the moth traps
Releasing the moths
A garden tiger moth and an elephant hawk moth