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Best times to watch wildlife

The best time depends on the animal, season, weather and tide. Use this guide to plan when to look.

  1. Before sunrise

    This is one of the best times to find mammals. Foxes, deer and rabbits may still be feeding, while badgers are often making their way back underground. Barn owls may also still be hunting over open grassland.

  2. Sunrise and early morning

    Early morning is a good time to look for deer, foxes, hares and otters while paths are quiet. In spring, listen for the dawn chorus.

  3. Mid-morning

    Once the ground begins to warm up, reptiles start appearing. Adders, grass snakes, slow worms and common lizards may bask on sunny banks, heathland and the edges of scrub.

  4. The middle of the day

    Midday can be quieter for mammals. In warm weather, look for butterflies, bees and dragonflies, and watch buzzards and red kites rising on warm air.

  5. Late afternoon

    As the day cools, many animals become more active. Deer leave cover, birds feed before nightfall and dragonflies may continue hunting around ponds and rivers.

  6. Sunset

    At sunset, bats emerge and owls begin hunting. Foxes, badgers and deer also become more active.

  7. After dark

    Listen for badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, bats and owls after dark. You may hear them before you see them.

Two red deer stags with their heads lowered during the rutTikTok: @wildlife.with.fin

Watch with the seasons

The time of year matters too. Watch for the deer rut in autumn and returning ospreys in spring.