Because yesterday was the nicest day of the year so far! I decided although a school night we would sleep up the woods. Now everything was going along nicely, bit of dinner, little carving, lovely fire etc etc.
Went to bed about 9.30pm, we all fell straight to sleep, anyway i will get to the point now!
At about 11.30pm, i was awakened by the dog growling, and was immediately aware that there was something outside the tent, so quietly slid my boots head torch and SFA! Well you can never be sure, peeped out the tent and it was a large healthy looking roe buck, he took off at the spped of light, thought that was it, started to settle down again but the dog just would not, growling as if on guard, so i got up again and blow me a dog fox licking my plate!
Perhaps not so remarkable, in itself although rare.
My question is. It was a full moon, and one of the most light nights i have ever seen in the woods, you could quite comfortably carry out a lot of tasks without a torch!
Do animals really act differently when there is such a clear sky accompanied by a full moon, or is it me being silly?
Further to the disturbance, i got up and had a surreal wander, it was as clear as a bell, not a whisper of wind, and to cap the evening, right at the top end of the wood, saw a couple of badgers play fighting, oh yeah and the owl activity was incredible.
Whether it's just that time of year, or was i witness to full moonyitis?
Strangest night i have ever had in the woods! And no, was not on drugs/medication and only a couple of beers.
Ivan...
Went to bed about 9.30pm, we all fell straight to sleep, anyway i will get to the point now!
At about 11.30pm, i was awakened by the dog growling, and was immediately aware that there was something outside the tent, so quietly slid my boots head torch and SFA! Well you can never be sure, peeped out the tent and it was a large healthy looking roe buck, he took off at the spped of light, thought that was it, started to settle down again but the dog just would not, growling as if on guard, so i got up again and blow me a dog fox licking my plate!
Perhaps not so remarkable, in itself although rare.
My question is. It was a full moon, and one of the most light nights i have ever seen in the woods, you could quite comfortably carry out a lot of tasks without a torch!
Do animals really act differently when there is such a clear sky accompanied by a full moon, or is it me being silly?
Further to the disturbance, i got up and had a surreal wander, it was as clear as a bell, not a whisper of wind, and to cap the evening, right at the top end of the wood, saw a couple of badgers play fighting, oh yeah and the owl activity was incredible.
Whether it's just that time of year, or was i witness to full moonyitis?
Strangest night i have ever had in the woods! And no, was not on drugs/medication and only a couple of beers.
Ivan...
. Half a century ago my woodsman uncle used to take me out in the woods moonlit nights to sit and watch for the critters, we used to see all sorts from tiny little woodmice to deer, definitely foxes and badgers. He used to say the animals liked the full moon and we certainly did get to see a lot. I hope to follow your example next full moon as a friend says I can camp in her wood.
