We’re sitting quietly, dressed in full camo, overlooking a badger sett. Red Squirrels are leaping through the nearby hawthorns, oblivious to our presence; we’re privileged to watch as they quietly snuggle down into their dreys, close to our lookout position. Daylight is drawing to a close and Blackbirds, Goldcrests and Coal Tits suddenly increase their volume of conversation. Perhaps it’s a final reassurance to each other that they are still together as a flock before settling down for the night. Our dark-adapted eyes reveal at least two Woodcock, leaving the camouflage of the woodland floor and heading into the night to search for food. The sharp ‘ke-wick’ of a Tawny Owl cuts through the descending mist and the quavering ‘hoo-hooo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoooo’ reply is echoed by a distant rival. As we reach the point where our own visual acuity is no longer enough to resolve either shape or movement, even with the assistance of the finest optics that Leica and Zeiss have to offer, we melt into the night – leaving the wood to the Badgers, Foxes, Deer, owls and other denizens of the dark.