The Secret World of Twilight (dusk and dawn)

The Secret World of Twilight is a book to inspire on the moments just before sunrise and just after sunset. Dawn and dusk – those fleeting, half-lit hours are when the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Skies flare with colour, landscapes shift in mood and an unseen cast of creatures emerge from the shadows.

Welcome to twilight.

It’s important to avoid light pollution and turn off unused lights (especially near or in glass buildings) to help prevent birds flying into windows). Also many creatures come out at dusk and dawn, so keep cats indoors at these times (to create safe havens for garden birds), and learn more on keeping roads safe near wildlife (like deer).

In this book, the author invites into this seductive time of day, when night-blooming flowers open (good for endangered bats), secretive mammals stir, giant moths reign and fantastical sea creatures ride the tide. Twilight affects humans too – but in our age of electric light and closed doors, we’ve almost forgotten how to see it.

If planting night-scented flowers for wildlife, know that some are not safe near animal friends. Read more on pet-friendly gardens. 

About the author

Sally Coulthard has written several best-selling books on nature and wildlife. She lives in Yorkshire on a smallholding which she shares with her husband, children and an assortment of unruly animals.