1 00:00:16,690 --> 00:00:19,530 KATE MARTIN: Hello and welcome to the National Trust Podcast. 2 00:00:19,739 --> 00:00:22,790 I'm Kate Martin lead Ranger in the Northwest. 3 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:26,809 In part one of my adventure at Cragside, Northumberland, I went 4 00:00:26,819 --> 00:00:30,670 on a unique safari ride, spotting spectacular species and 5 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:32,889 discovered the crazy contraptions made by a 6 00:00:32,900 --> 00:00:34,990 pioneering Victorian inventor. 7 00:00:35,119 --> 00:00:38,790 But in part two, I'm staying after hours to discover how 8 00:00:38,799 --> 00:00:41,590 Cragside gets a little wild after dark. 9 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:53,040 I'm sitting here reclining in a deck chair on a balmy summer 10 00:00:53,049 --> 00:00:58,139 evening, overlooking the formal gardens at Cragside to the 11 00:00:58,150 --> 00:01:00,614 Moorlands and the hills beyond. 12 00:01:00,614 --> 00:01:03,729 About 1000 acres and with locations as varied as the 13 00:01:03,740 --> 00:01:06,809 carriage driveway, with panoramic views, fern covered 14 00:01:06,819 --> 00:01:10,760 gorges, coniferous forest, seeing all Cragside has to offer 15 00:01:10,769 --> 00:01:12,330 could take you days. 16 00:01:13,110 --> 00:01:16,790 So to see as much as I can, I've actually decided to stay within 17 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:19,129 the grounds at one of their on site holiday homes. 18 00:01:19,330 --> 00:01:22,559 So tonight, I'm taking full advantage of my VIP access to a 19 00:01:22,569 --> 00:01:25,669 lock in here at Cragside and heading out to discover what it 20 00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:29,300 has to offer after dark. 21 00:01:29,300 --> 00:01:33,330 I'm leaving the neat manicured lawns, glass houses and the wide 22 00:01:33,339 --> 00:01:37,069 open skies of the formal gardens where the holiday cottages are 23 00:01:37,139 --> 00:01:39,620 and I'm heading towards the woods to meet a Ranger who's 24 00:01:39,629 --> 00:01:41,919 going to accompany me on my night time adventure. 25 00:01:46,589 --> 00:01:49,769 So as I make my way through the trees, I can hear that sunset 26 00:01:49,779 --> 00:01:54,339 frenzy of birds settling down for the evening and crepuscular 27 00:01:54,349 --> 00:01:57,800 wildlife animals that are most active at dusk and dawn will be 28 00:01:57,809 --> 00:01:59,470 emerging now in the twilight. 29 00:02:00,779 --> 00:02:03,610 I'm heading up to the Clock Tower now, which is at the edge 30 00:02:03,620 --> 00:02:08,759 of the woods. 31 00:02:08,759 --> 00:02:11,958 Standing next to it is ranger Helen Burn. Hi, Helen. You 32 00:02:11,958 --> 00:02:12,453 alright? 33 00:02:12,453 --> 00:02:14,100 HELEN BURN: Heya Kate. Yeah, nice to meet you. 34 00:02:14,110 --> 00:02:16,490 KATE MARTIN: So, Helen, I'm really excited about exploring 35 00:02:16,500 --> 00:02:17,539 Cragside tonight. 36 00:02:17,740 --> 00:02:20,089 HELEN BURN: Actually, I've got a confession to make. I've never 37 00:02:20,100 --> 00:02:23,750 been around Cragside in the dark myself so we can explore it 38 00:02:23,759 --> 00:02:24,899 together for the first time. 39 00:02:24,899 --> 00:02:28,139 I've got a few activities lined up for you to help you get 40 00:02:28,149 --> 00:02:30,740 really up close and personal with some of the characters that 41 00:02:30,750 --> 00:02:35,039 we might see and it's all about putting your senses to the test. 42 00:02:35,279 --> 00:02:37,889 Gonna meet some wildlife experts in the pinetum. 43 00:02:38,169 --> 00:02:39,059 KATE MARTIN: Fab. Let's go. 44 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:45,979 It's finally starting to get a little bit darker now and 45 00:02:45,990 --> 00:02:48,009 actually walking round at this time of night can actually feel 46 00:02:48,020 --> 00:02:50,389 a bit unsettling even in a place that you really know, like the 47 00:02:50,399 --> 00:02:51,389 back of your hand. 48 00:02:51,789 --> 00:02:54,410 Sometimes feels that there's those little eyes watching you. 49 00:02:54,630 --> 00:02:56,830 HELEN BURN: There's definitely going to be things watching us. 50 00:02:59,029 --> 00:03:02,410 I think things like deer and rabbit. I know that on the 51 00:03:02,419 --> 00:03:04,880 estate we have got badgers and foxes. 52 00:03:05,089 --> 00:03:07,820 KATE MARTIN: It makes you realize actually just how poor 53 00:03:07,830 --> 00:03:08,750 our eyesight is. 54 00:03:08,899 --> 00:03:11,610 What are the other animals with sort of stand out senses that 55 00:03:11,619 --> 00:03:13,809 can help them navigate at night here, Helen? 56 00:03:13,820 --> 00:03:19,179 HELEN BURN: One that stands out for me would be owls. 57 00:03:19,179 --> 00:03:21,429 MARC HOLDERIED: In the UK, the nocturnal creatures that have 58 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:24,330 the most stunningly big eyes are probably some of the owls. 59 00:03:24,820 --> 00:03:27,509 My name is Marc Holderied. I'm a professor here at the University 60 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:29,130 Of Bristol's Biology Department. 61 00:03:30,029 --> 00:03:32,679 A lot of the stuff owls do, they do by vision. 62 00:03:32,679 --> 00:03:36,509 At daylight, they have a tiny pupil because they don't want a 63 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,289 lot of light to come in. But at night, this pupil widens 64 00:03:39,300 --> 00:03:43,619 exposing all this massive lens and that just brings up their 65 00:03:43,630 --> 00:03:44,570 sensitivity. 66 00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:49,169 But not all of what they do is by vision. Owls are, when they 67 00:03:49,179 --> 00:03:52,639 hunt relying a lot on their sense of hearing. 68 00:03:52,639 --> 00:03:57,779 The Barn Owl has this beautiful white face. The whole, mirror 69 00:03:57,820 --> 00:04:02,509 like, round face is nothing more than a sound collecting device. 70 00:04:02,509 --> 00:04:06,179 In its face to the left and to the right of its beak are the 71 00:04:06,190 --> 00:04:11,470 two ears. The two ears are not the same shape. One of these 72 00:04:11,479 --> 00:04:14,869 ears points slightly downwards, the other points slightly 73 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:15,610 upwards. 74 00:04:16,350 --> 00:04:19,980 It means that it's not just the left right information but also 75 00:04:19,989 --> 00:04:23,040 the looking up and looking down information. 76 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:26,489 For example, that's how they can hunt voles or shrews under a 77 00:04:26,500 --> 00:04:29,570 layer of snow. So there's no visual information whatsoever, 78 00:04:29,579 --> 00:04:31,489 but they hear them squealing down there and they strike 79 00:04:31,500 --> 00:04:32,529 through the loose snow. 80 00:04:36,130 --> 00:04:38,350 HELEN BURN: I've got a bag of contraptions with me tonight 81 00:04:38,359 --> 00:04:40,339 that's going to help us as we're going around. 82 00:04:40,700 --> 00:04:43,660 I have got something we can use to give you an idea what it 83 00:04:43,670 --> 00:04:46,399 might be like to hear a little bit better. A little bit like an 84 00:04:46,410 --> 00:04:49,329 owl. So I've got a parabolic microphone. 85 00:04:50,470 --> 00:04:53,450 KATE MARTIN: That essentially is a satellite dish that you can 86 00:04:53,459 --> 00:04:54,809 hold by the look of it. 87 00:04:55,260 --> 00:04:57,890 HELEN BURN: Yeah, kind of. So it's sort of a similar shape to 88 00:04:57,899 --> 00:05:02,660 an owl's face and it directs the sound in towards the microphone 89 00:05:02,670 --> 00:05:04,250 and helps pick up the noises. 90 00:05:06,149 --> 00:05:08,820 KATE MARTIN: So I'm just moving the microphone now to see if I 91 00:05:08,829 --> 00:05:11,760 can pinpoint anything in particular. 92 00:05:12,529 --> 00:05:18,130 Well, that's really noticeable, but you can actually hear the 93 00:05:18,140 --> 00:05:26,290 babbling brook. Let's move it away again and then back. 94 00:05:26,290 --> 00:05:27,739 How different that sounds. 95 00:05:28,459 --> 00:05:32,299 So you could absolutely see how an owl is able to sort of 96 00:05:32,309 --> 00:05:36,750 pinpoint that noise. 97 00:05:36,750 --> 00:05:42,109 Just walking over the wooden bridge into the pinetum. 98 00:05:42,690 --> 00:05:45,750 Pretty imposing these trees even earlier on in the day but in 99 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:49,070 this time of night, because they're so big and they're 100 00:05:49,079 --> 00:05:52,450 blocking out so much of the light, it feels quite 101 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:54,709 claustrophobic in here really. 102 00:05:55,929 --> 00:05:58,070 I can see some people ahead of us. 103 00:06:01,750 --> 00:06:05,160 Hiya, so I hear you're my expert in night time adventures? 104 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:08,670 HEATHER DEVEY: Hi, I'm Heather Devey. I'm co-director of wild 105 00:06:08,679 --> 00:06:11,980 intrigue. We like to introduce people to nature in northern 106 00:06:11,989 --> 00:06:12,579 England. 107 00:06:12,829 --> 00:06:16,109 KATE MARTIN: Why are you lurking in the pinetum at this time of 108 00:06:16,119 --> 00:06:16,730 the night? 109 00:06:16,910 --> 00:06:20,290 HEATHER DEVEY: It's a good question. So I'm gonna get you 110 00:06:20,299 --> 00:06:22,359 up close and personal with bats. 111 00:06:22,790 --> 00:06:25,059 KATE MARTIN: I love bats. Where are they? 112 00:06:25,369 --> 00:06:28,709 HEATHER DEVEY: Bats are usually all around us actually. And it's 113 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:29,899 just that we can't hear them. 114 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:34,500 THOMAS NEIL: My name is Thomas Neil. I'm a research scientist 115 00:06:34,510 --> 00:06:35,850 at the University Of Bristol. 116 00:06:36,269 --> 00:06:40,730 Bats are nocturnal hunters. So they've evolved a system called 117 00:06:40,739 --> 00:06:44,549 echolocation. And what we mean by that is that bats use sound 118 00:06:44,559 --> 00:06:45,890 to navigate at night. 119 00:06:46,140 --> 00:06:50,609 So what bats do is they produce ultrasonic clicks out of their 120 00:06:50,619 --> 00:06:54,730 mouth or sometimes their nose and they essentially bounce back 121 00:06:54,739 --> 00:06:58,109 off objects around the bat and the bat listens for the echoes 122 00:06:58,119 --> 00:06:59,100 from these clicks. 123 00:07:00,230 --> 00:07:02,859 Other animals that use echolocation are the dolphins 124 00:07:02,869 --> 00:07:06,760 and whales. So these use it in a similar way to bats, but they're 125 00:07:06,769 --> 00:07:08,230 using it to navigate in the sea. 126 00:07:09,450 --> 00:07:12,739 The clicks are ultrasonic, which means they are outside of our 127 00:07:12,750 --> 00:07:13,630 hearing range. 128 00:07:14,329 --> 00:07:16,640 A young child may be out at night and be able to pick up 129 00:07:16,649 --> 00:07:18,700 some of the lower frequencies that bats are using. 130 00:07:18,730 --> 00:07:21,640 Unfortunately, as you get older, you tend to lose the higher 131 00:07:21,649 --> 00:07:26,399 frequency hearing in your hearing range. So a grown adult 132 00:07:26,410 --> 00:07:27,679 would not be able to hear them as well. 133 00:07:33,579 --> 00:07:36,089 HEATHER DEVEY: So this is a heterodyne detector. And it 134 00:07:36,100 --> 00:07:39,399 basically means that we can eavesdrop on bat echolocation 135 00:07:39,790 --> 00:07:42,769 and it just transforms it basically so that we can 136 00:07:42,779 --> 00:07:44,420 understand bat chat. 137 00:07:44,429 --> 00:07:46,820 KATE MARTIN: I love the idea of bat chat. That sounds great. 138 00:07:47,630 --> 00:07:49,600 HEATHER DEVEY: So we turn it on at the side. Are you ready for 139 00:07:49,609 --> 00:07:50,179 the static? 140 00:07:52,089 --> 00:07:56,700 Oh we had a whisper of a pipistrelle there. 141 00:08:01,910 --> 00:08:08,299 So that is a soprano pipistrelle and just there he is, just right 142 00:08:08,309 --> 00:08:08,540 there. 143 00:08:10,239 --> 00:08:12,029 KATE MARTIN: You get the odd little glimpse and as soon as 144 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:13,380 you turn your head it's gone. 145 00:08:17,070 --> 00:08:20,209 Oh, there it is again, it's just kind of circling round above us, 146 00:08:20,220 --> 00:08:22,130 just around the edges of the trees. 147 00:08:22,609 --> 00:08:24,119 HEATHER DEVEY: They're very busy up there. 148 00:08:24,570 --> 00:08:27,109 Every click that you hear is a sound that, that pipistrelle is 149 00:08:27,119 --> 00:08:30,950 making out of its mouth. That's how fast it is. And then on top 150 00:08:30,959 --> 00:08:33,909 of that, it needs to eat the midges, it needs to eat the, the 151 00:08:33,919 --> 00:08:37,080 micro moths and it needs to chat and tell other bats what's going 152 00:08:37,090 --> 00:08:37,409 on. 153 00:08:40,789 --> 00:08:44,320 So we've heard the pipistrelle clicking there. They got a nice 154 00:08:44,330 --> 00:08:48,210 rapid beat, but there are a lot of different sounds that bats 155 00:08:48,219 --> 00:08:50,789 can make. So I've got a few on my phone here. 156 00:08:50,900 --> 00:08:52,690 This is a Brown Long Eared Bat. 157 00:08:58,270 --> 00:09:01,940 It essentially whispers at 15 to 20 kilohertz and it's got a 158 00:09:01,950 --> 00:09:03,210 lovely rustle to it. 159 00:09:09,750 --> 00:09:12,859 That was a Greater Horseshoe. It's quite different, isn't it? 160 00:09:12,869 --> 00:09:14,950 It's got much more of a whistle to it. 161 00:09:15,349 --> 00:09:18,489 They effectively scream through their noses instead of their 162 00:09:18,500 --> 00:09:18,950 mouths. 163 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:21,820 KATE MARTIN: So that's why we've got the horseshoe shaped nose? 164 00:09:21,830 --> 00:09:22,900 HEATHER DEVEY: Exactly. 165 00:09:28,989 --> 00:09:32,679 That last one was a Leisler's Bat, it's got that kind of 166 00:09:32,690 --> 00:09:33,909 sloppy drip. 167 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:37,030 They're so different, so diverse, not just how they look 168 00:09:37,039 --> 00:09:39,770 but how they sound as well. And that's what makes them just so 169 00:09:39,780 --> 00:09:40,380 intriguing. 170 00:09:41,159 --> 00:09:43,690 KATE MARTIN: I love bats. You obviously love bats as well. But 171 00:09:43,700 --> 00:09:46,659 I know an awful lot of people find them a bit so freaky and 172 00:09:46,669 --> 00:09:47,619 weird. So why do think that is? 173 00:09:48,510 --> 00:09:50,940 HEATHER DEVEY: You know, they come out at night and you don't 174 00:09:50,950 --> 00:09:54,450 really see them? So you don't know quite what they are. 175 00:09:54,570 --> 00:09:57,340 There's a lot of mystery around them and a lot of myth and 176 00:09:57,349 --> 00:09:59,710 folklore, I suppose. 177 00:09:59,710 --> 00:10:03,010 Bats are nothing to be afraid of. That is, of course, unless 178 00:10:03,020 --> 00:10:06,969 you're a moth, which is just the perfect take out snack for a 179 00:10:06,979 --> 00:10:09,419 bat. Should we go check out some moths? 180 00:10:09,549 --> 00:10:10,570 KATE MARTIN: Oh, yeah, definitely. 181 00:10:12,770 --> 00:10:14,510 What is it we're looking out for? 182 00:10:14,710 --> 00:10:17,750 HEATHER DEVEY: We're looking for a bit of a eerie glow and we're 183 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:21,422 going to introduce you to the other half of wild intrigue, 184 00:10:21,422 --> 00:10:21,429 Cain Scrimgeour. 185 00:10:21,429 --> 00:10:28,529 KATE MARTIN: It's absolutely pitch black. It's the real night 186 00:10:28,529 --> 00:10:32,020 time specialists out and about. 187 00:10:32,020 --> 00:10:36,049 Just walking down the road and then just out of the corner of 188 00:10:36,059 --> 00:10:39,460 my eye just spotted something crawling across the road and it 189 00:10:39,469 --> 00:10:40,080 was a toad. 190 00:10:41,219 --> 00:10:42,090 HELEN BURN: There's another one. 191 00:10:42,159 --> 00:10:43,493 KATE MARTIN: Oh, yeah! There's another one! 192 00:10:43,493 --> 00:10:45,760 Oh there we go. The proper toad crawl. 193 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:49,650 They'll be coming out for the slugs and the worms. They'll 194 00:10:49,659 --> 00:10:52,539 make sure they get somewhere nice and dark and damp before 195 00:10:52,549 --> 00:10:53,369 the sun comes up. 196 00:10:57,570 --> 00:11:01,809 I can see the light. Hello, Cain. You alright? 197 00:11:01,809 --> 00:11:03,510 CAIN SCRIMGEOUR: Hello there. You all right? 198 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:07,070 KATE MARTIN: Helen, my fellow Ranger, you aren't looking 199 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:08,710 particularly pleased. 200 00:11:08,799 --> 00:11:11,950 HELEN BURN: I have to say, I'm not really the biggest fan of 201 00:11:11,960 --> 00:11:12,049 moths. 202 00:11:12,849 --> 00:11:13,469 KATE MARTIN: What now? 203 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:16,830 HELEN BURN: Yeah, it's just something about the way that 204 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:19,950 they flap and then they're in your bedroom at night dive 205 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:20,603 bombing you! 206 00:11:20,603 --> 00:11:22,500 KATE MARTIN: What kind of moths do you have? 207 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:28,049 So Cain, come on, describe this intriguing contraption in front 208 00:11:28,059 --> 00:11:28,549 of us. 209 00:11:28,770 --> 00:11:30,760 CAIN SCRIMGEOUR: So this is a moth trap. The moths are 210 00:11:30,770 --> 00:11:34,400 attracted to this bulb in here because we've got to have a peek 211 00:11:34,409 --> 00:11:37,940 inside to see if anything's actually went inside the trap. 212 00:11:37,950 --> 00:11:40,390 So we'll just open this up here and it's absolutely full of 213 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:41,219 Midges in there. 214 00:11:43,719 --> 00:11:46,729 Oh, there's a good one. So this one's called the Map Winged 215 00:11:46,750 --> 00:11:47,429 Swift. 216 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:49,683 KATE MARTIN: Oh what a name! 217 00:11:49,683 --> 00:11:50,179 CAIN SCRIMGEOUR: You can see all of the intricate patterns there. 218 00:11:50,890 --> 00:11:55,159 KATE MARTIN: There is bronze and silver, almost like a sort of 219 00:11:55,169 --> 00:11:57,989 coppery colour. That is an absolutely beautiful moth. 220 00:11:58,119 --> 00:12:00,460 CAIN SCRIMGEOUR: Through the year the species change as well. 221 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:04,109 So in the winter and spring you get sort of brown, quite drab 222 00:12:04,119 --> 00:12:04,479 looking moths. 223 00:12:05,070 --> 00:12:08,190 But as the flowers and the flora develops, you get a lot more 224 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:12,189 colour. So you get pinks and oranges and golds and metallics. 225 00:12:12,189 --> 00:12:15,299 With class names like Peach Blossom and Burnish Brass, 226 00:12:16,179 --> 00:12:18,200 Elephant Hawk Moth, Garden Tiger Moth. 227 00:12:18,750 --> 00:12:21,200 There's other ones that haven't got great names because they're 228 00:12:21,210 --> 00:12:24,080 called'Uncertain' because they're really difficult to ID 229 00:12:24,090 --> 00:12:24,619 as well. 230 00:12:25,940 --> 00:12:29,359 If you look really closely, you can see it's antenna, this one's 231 00:12:29,369 --> 00:12:31,900 a female. So it's just got simple structures. If it was a 232 00:12:31,909 --> 00:12:34,619 male, they would be really, really sort of fluffy looking 233 00:12:34,619 --> 00:12:34,630 like- 234 00:12:34,630 --> 00:12:37,929 KATE MARTIN: Like Feathers! 235 00:12:37,929 --> 00:12:39,849 MARC HOLDERIED: I don't know whether you know where the nose 236 00:12:39,859 --> 00:12:42,760 of a moth might be placed, but it's within these feathery 237 00:12:42,770 --> 00:12:45,309 antennae that they have on their foreheads. 238 00:12:45,489 --> 00:12:48,309 And males have much bigger and more feathery antennae because 239 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:50,979 they need a better sense of smell. 240 00:12:52,340 --> 00:12:57,119 The way the female attracts the males is by chemical signals, 241 00:12:57,530 --> 00:13:01,440 they send out pheromones that spread easily and are carried 242 00:13:01,450 --> 00:13:02,400 with the wind. 243 00:13:02,750 --> 00:13:07,280 And the male would sit somewhere and it's sniffing for these 244 00:13:07,289 --> 00:13:09,450 chemical compounds. For these pheromones. 245 00:13:09,969 --> 00:13:12,859 Air would stream through these feathery antennae and they are 246 00:13:12,869 --> 00:13:14,409 studded with receptors. 247 00:13:14,460 --> 00:13:18,409 And as soon as a single molecule of this female pheromones 248 00:13:18,419 --> 00:13:21,140 interacts with these receptors, the moth takes off. 249 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:25,460 So these moth would fly downstream from the wind. 250 00:13:25,469 --> 00:13:29,049 Eventually they'll find the female moth by its pheromones. 251 00:13:31,489 --> 00:13:33,869 CAIN SCRIMGEOUR: People love butterflies in general, but 252 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:36,119 moths, people don't like moths. 253 00:13:36,119 --> 00:13:39,099 And it's largely down to just a few handfuls of species so 254 00:13:39,109 --> 00:13:41,390 you'll get three species that'll eat your clothes and your 255 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:43,419 carpets and two of them are quite rare. 256 00:13:43,890 --> 00:13:48,150 But there's 2500 species of moths in the UK and only 59 257 00:13:48,159 --> 00:13:49,390 species of butterflies. 258 00:13:50,140 --> 00:13:52,849 Really the moth do a lot of the work at night so they're the 259 00:13:52,859 --> 00:13:53,820 hard grafters. 260 00:13:54,239 --> 00:13:58,229 So they're incredibly important for pollination. But also 261 00:13:58,239 --> 00:14:01,080 because there's so many species that they're really important as 262 00:14:01,090 --> 00:14:03,929 a food source. A caterpillar food source for our small birds. 263 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:06,690 KATE MARTIN: But what can people do to help moths? 264 00:14:06,690 --> 00:14:09,440 CAIN SCRIMGEOUR: Plant- plants that will be good for 265 00:14:09,450 --> 00:14:13,650 pollinators but also leave some bits wild for the caterpillars. 266 00:14:13,650 --> 00:14:14,390 KATE MARTIN: Have we converted you? 267 00:14:14,390 --> 00:14:17,130 HELEN BURN: I do feel like I'm swaying towards being a moth 268 00:14:17,210 --> 00:14:17,710 fan. 269 00:14:18,359 --> 00:14:20,919 KATE MARTIN: I think it's probably time we release them 270 00:14:20,929 --> 00:14:22,460 back into their natural environment. 271 00:14:31,090 --> 00:14:33,289 HELEN BURN: I've got another game for you Kate. 272 00:14:33,679 --> 00:14:38,070 Moth's most powerful sense is their sense of smell. As I'm 273 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:40,289 sure you'll have guessed you're going to smell your way to the 274 00:14:40,299 --> 00:14:44,789 next location. I've got two things for you. 275 00:14:45,409 --> 00:14:49,150 KATE MARTIN: A blindfold with some really creepy eyes on it 276 00:14:49,369 --> 00:14:51,590 and a can of deodorant. 277 00:14:52,330 --> 00:14:54,640 HELEN BURN: Got that blindfold on now, I'm gonna spray some of 278 00:14:54,650 --> 00:14:58,340 the Lynx Africa and you have to use your sense of smell to 279 00:14:58,349 --> 00:14:59,539 follow the trail. 280 00:14:59,659 --> 00:15:00,260 KATE MARTIN: Ok. 281 00:15:01,669 --> 00:15:05,940 Oh, yeah.! Oh, wow! That is quite strong! 282 00:15:06,789 --> 00:15:09,010 I'm going sort of straight ahead at the moment. 283 00:15:10,179 --> 00:15:11,960 Gosh, that is so strong! 284 00:15:14,270 --> 00:15:16,909 That smells like- right? 285 00:15:17,669 --> 00:15:19,549 Oh, my word going left. 286 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:25,929 I have to say Helen, this is the weirdest sat nav in the world! 287 00:15:28,690 --> 00:15:31,190 HELEN BURN: Kate, you have reached your destination. 288 00:15:35,369 --> 00:15:38,669 KATE MARTIN: So I finally going to get to take my blindfold off 289 00:15:38,679 --> 00:15:42,090 and have a look where I am and I am by a lake. 290 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:44,590 There's Heather from wild intrigue. Hiya Heather. 291 00:15:44,630 --> 00:15:45,630 HEATHER DEVEY: Hello again. 292 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:47,809 KATE MARTIN: Why am I standing by a lake in the dark? 293 00:15:48,369 --> 00:15:50,360 HEATHER DEVEY: You mean you can't hear that? 294 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:50,869 KATE MARTIN: Hear what? 295 00:15:51,130 --> 00:15:53,064 HEATHER DEVEY: You can't hear that midnight Rave? 296 00:15:53,064 --> 00:15:54,710 KATE MARTIN: A midnight rave? 297 00:15:54,719 --> 00:15:57,760 HEATHER DEVEY: I'll forgive you because actually it's beneath 298 00:15:57,770 --> 00:15:59,369 the surface of the lake. 299 00:15:59,369 --> 00:15:59,950 KATE MARTIN: Oh really? 300 00:15:59,950 --> 00:16:01,140 HEATHER DEVEY: Yeah, it's a pond rave. 301 00:16:02,460 --> 00:16:04,750 KATE MARTIN: So, what's this strange contraption heather? 302 00:16:05,210 --> 00:16:08,419 HEATHER DEVEY: So, this is a hydrophone. So, it basically 303 00:16:08,429 --> 00:16:13,623 means that we can gate crash and eavesdrop below the surface. 304 00:16:13,623 --> 00:16:14,130 KATE MARTIN: Amazing! 305 00:16:14,130 --> 00:16:16,059 HEATHER DEVEY: All of these freshwater invertebrates. 306 00:16:16,070 --> 00:16:17,880 They'll make the noises throughout the day, but they 307 00:16:17,890 --> 00:16:19,840 really come to life at night. 308 00:16:20,770 --> 00:16:24,140 So we'll plonk it in. We'll use our headphones and see what we 309 00:16:24,150 --> 00:16:24,799 can hear. 310 00:16:28,849 --> 00:16:33,219 So, what we're listening out for is clicks and rustles and pops 311 00:16:33,229 --> 00:16:38,000 and slaps and it's mainly the beetles that make these noises. 312 00:16:38,239 --> 00:16:41,809 And you've got your damsel fly nymphs, your dragonfly nymphs, 313 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:44,770 they're all hunting different creatures, winning their 314 00:16:44,780 --> 00:16:49,369 territories together. So there's drama unfolding just below the 315 00:16:49,380 --> 00:16:50,229 surface. 316 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:57,979 Can you hear that kind of rhythmic beat? 317 00:16:58,869 --> 00:17:00,650 Well, that's one of my favourite sounds. 318 00:17:01,070 --> 00:17:05,699 This is a water boatman and it's really amazing because he's got 319 00:17:05,709 --> 00:17:09,589 the loudest mating call if you like, compared to his size than 320 00:17:09,599 --> 00:17:11,260 any other animal. 321 00:17:11,819 --> 00:17:15,300 And he's not singing. Can you guess what he might be doing? 322 00:17:15,300 --> 00:17:18,169 KATE MARTIN: Is he like rubbing his legs together? 323 00:17:18,169 --> 00:17:20,680 HEATHER DEVEY: He's rubbing appendages together, but it's 324 00:17:20,689 --> 00:17:23,579 not his legs. It's his genitals. 325 00:17:23,729 --> 00:17:25,180 KATE MARTIN: Wow! Ok! 326 00:17:25,239 --> 00:17:34,119 HEATHER DEVEY: Yeah. Welcome to the pond rave! 327 00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:37,280 KATE MARTIN: Well, Helen, all good parties must come to an end 328 00:17:37,449 --> 00:17:41,479 and it is the early hours of the morning now and the bed of the 329 00:17:41,489 --> 00:17:44,099 holiday cottage is starting to feel very appealing. 330 00:17:44,910 --> 00:17:47,729 Do you think after the experiences tonight you'll look 331 00:17:47,739 --> 00:17:51,170 at your place of work, this lovely Cragside with a different 332 00:17:51,180 --> 00:17:51,920 set of eyes? 333 00:17:51,930 --> 00:17:54,760 HELEN BURN: Yeah, I think I will actually, it's been really cool. 334 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:57,640 KATE MARTIN: There are a few important things that people 335 00:17:57,650 --> 00:18:00,130 need to be aware of, aren't there if they are going to have 336 00:18:00,140 --> 00:18:02,229 a walk around a place like this after dark? 337 00:18:02,430 --> 00:18:05,410 HELEN BURN: But I think it would be really important to plan a 338 00:18:05,420 --> 00:18:10,510 safe route, not getting too close to water, not getting too 339 00:18:10,520 --> 00:18:12,270 close to maybe cliff edges. 340 00:18:12,270 --> 00:18:16,300 Always have a torch handy and the phone with you. And really, 341 00:18:16,310 --> 00:18:20,339 I would advise asking the location for guidelines as well. 342 00:18:20,670 --> 00:18:22,550 KATE MARTIN: Go and enjoy a well earned rest! 343 00:18:23,619 --> 00:18:28,189 HELEN BURN: Yeah, definitely.! 344 00:18:28,189 --> 00:18:32,180 KATE MARTIN: It's so different. Cragside at night to Cragside in 345 00:18:32,189 --> 00:18:32,770 the daytime. 346 00:18:33,579 --> 00:18:37,699 This experience isn't something exclusive to Cragside. This is 347 00:18:37,969 --> 00:18:41,130 an experience you can have in your own back garden outside the 348 00:18:41,140 --> 00:18:42,920 front of your house, in your local park. 349 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:48,069 Get outside experience the night time, all the sounds, the 350 00:18:48,079 --> 00:18:52,064 smells, even the sight if you can see anything! 351 00:18:52,064 --> 00:18:55,180 It's just a completely different world and one that everybody 352 00:18:55,189 --> 00:18:57,550 should feel that they can get out and enjoy. 353 00:19:08,739 --> 00:19:12,069 Thanks for listening to the National Trust Podcast. If you 354 00:19:12,079 --> 00:19:14,599 want to find out more about staying in a National Trust 355 00:19:14,609 --> 00:19:19,040 holiday home and experiencing our places after hours, head to 356 00:19:19,050 --> 00:19:22,859 nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays. 357 00:19:23,050 --> 00:19:26,560 Please remember to use common sense and follow site safety 358 00:19:26,569 --> 00:19:29,060 advice if you do go exploring after dark. 359 00:19:29,130 --> 00:19:31,959 If you've enjoyed this episode, you can follow the National 360 00:19:31,969 --> 00:19:35,310 Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app or find us at 361 00:19:35,319 --> 00:19:39,160 nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts. 362 00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:42,260 For now, from me, Kate Martin. Goodbye.