The Night Shift: Meet Ontario's Nocturnal Wildlife

When the sun goes down, a whole other world of wildlife starts waking up!

While we're heading inside for the evening, some of Ontario's most fascinating creatures are just getting started. And with Halloween just around the corner, what better time to get acquainted with the creatures of the night? 👻

Let's meet a few of Ontario's nighttime residents and discover what makes them SO well adapted to life after sunset.

Great Grey Owls. Photo by Shayna Hartley. 

1. Owls: Masters of Silent Flight 

If there were an official mascot for Halloween, it would probably be an owl!

Ontario is home to several owl species, including Great Horned Owls, Barred Owls and Northern Saw-whet Owls. While their activity patterns vary, many do much of their hunting at night.

But here's something REALLY fascinating: many owls have specialized feathers that help make their flight incredibly quiet.

The leading edges of their wing feathers have comb-like structures that help reduce the noise created as air passes over their wings. Combined with their soft, velvety feathers, this allows owls to approach prey with remarkably little sound.

And those big, beautiful eyes? They're especially well suited to seeing in low light.

Owls also have excellent hearing, which helps them locate prey even when visibility is limited. Some species can pinpoint tiny movements beneath vegetation or snow!

Listen for: The familiar hooting of a Great Horned Owl, particularly as we move into late fall and winter when pairs become increasingly vocal.

2. Flying Squirrels: The Backyard Visitors You Might Never See!

Did you know Ontario has FLYING squirrels?!

Despite their name, flying squirrels don't actually fly. Instead, they glide through the air using a stretchy membrane of skin called a patagium, which extends between their front and back legs.

Ontario is home to both Northern and Southern Flying Squirrels, and because they're primarily nocturnal, many people go their entire lives without seeing one!

Their large eyes help them navigate in low light, while their flattened tails provide stability and help with steering as they glide between trees.

Flying squirrels eat a variety of foods, including nuts, seeds, fungi and insects.

And here's a fun fact: flying squirrels sometimes gather together in tree cavities to stay warm during colder weather.

Imagine discovering THAT!

3. Bats: Our Nighttime Insect Control 🦇

Brown Bat. Photo by Leanne LeBlanc. 

Bats have a bit of a spooky reputation, but they're actually some of our most fascinating and beneficial mammals.

Ontario's bats are insect-eaters, and many use echolocation to navigate and hunt in the dark.

By producing high-frequency sounds and listening for the echoes bouncing back, bats can detect objects and locate flying insects with remarkable precision.

Species such as Little Brown Myotis can catch mosquitoes, moths and other small insects while flying through the night.

By late October, many of Ontario's bats are preparing for winter or have already begun hibernating or migrating, depending on the species.

So while you might not see as many bats swooping overhead at this time of year, they've been hard at work all summer!

And contrary to popular Halloween imagery, bats aren't interested in getting tangled in your hair. They're much more interested in finding their next meal.

4. Raccoons: The Curious Nighttime Neighbours 🦝

Anyone who's ever heard mysterious rustling outside after dark might already be familiar with these masked visitors!

Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, although they can also be active during daylight hours.

Their sensitive front paws help them investigate their surroundings and manipulate food, making them incredibly resourceful foragers.

And while they're often associated with neighbourhood garbage bins, raccoons have a wonderfully varied natural diet that includes fruits, nuts, insects, crayfish and other small animals.

As temperatures begin to drop, raccoons spend more time feeding and building up fat reserves for winter.

Unlike true hibernators, raccoons may remain in their dens during especially cold weather but can become active again during milder periods.

So don't be surprised if you still spot one wandering around on a warmer winter evening!

5. Moths: The Nighttime Pollinators We Often Overlook

Butterflies tend to get all the attention, but what about their nighttime relatives?

Many moth species are active after dark, visiting flowers to feed on nectar and helping transfer pollen between plants.

Some flowers have even evolved to attract nighttime visitors with pale petals and strong evening fragrances.

And while we often associate moths with warm summer nights, some species remain active surprisingly late into fall.

Certain moths can tolerate chilly temperatures, and a few species are even active during the colder months!

It's a wonderful reminder that pollination isn't just a daytime activity.

How Can You Experience the Night Shift?

Here are a few ways to discover what's happening around you:

• Listen carefully. Owls, rustling leaves and other nighttime sounds can reveal wildlife you might never actually see.

• Use a flashlight thoughtfully. Avoid shining bright lights directly at wildlife, particularly owls and other animals that rely on their night vision.

• Keep outdoor lighting to a minimum. Reducing unnecessary artificial light helps protect nocturnal insects, migrating birds and other wildlife.

• Leave some natural habitat. Trees, fallen logs, leaf litter and native plants provide shelter and food for all kinds of creatures, day AND night.

• Observe from a distance. Let wildlife go about its normal activities without approaching, handling or disturbing it.

A Whole Other World After Dark

It's easy to think of our backyards as quiet places once the birds have settled in for the evening.

But nature doesn't stop when the sun goes down!

From the silent flight of an owl to the tiny movements of a flying squirrel, there's an incredible amount of activity happening while most of us are asleep.

So this Halloween, before you head inside for the night, take a moment to listen to the world around you.

You never know who's just starting their day! 🌙

Happy Halloween!

Warmly,

Heather