This season, join Elinor to explore and encounter some of our fabulous nocturnal wildlife.

For this episode, she joins David Atthowe, Founder of Reveal Nature, whose mission is to "is to ignite a sense of awe and wonder for the mysteries of the natural world."

David spends a lot of time out in the darkness, and one of the things he is an expert in is biofluorescence, or the glowing of all sorts of wildlife under ultraviolet (or UV) light. David has led biofluorescence walks all across the UK, and around the world, and has just led two walks for South Downs National Park as part of our Dark Skies Festival. But don't worry if you missed them - he will be back with us in the autumn!

Elinor and David discuss all things that glow in the dark and the wondrous world that awaits us after the sun has set.

For more information on David's work, please visit https://revealnature.co.uk/

Remember, if you have a question, comment or suggestion, please email embracethedarkness@southdowns.gov.uk

#SouthDowns #NightSky #DarkSkies #EmbraceTheDarkness #NocturnalWildlife

Thank you for listening to ‘Embrace the Darkness’, presented by Elinor Newman.

The podcast is recorded and produced by the South Downs National Park Authority from the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

Season 2 edited by Francesca Turauskis of Tremula Network.

Music for season 1 is Orbit by D0d, direct from Uppbeat.

Music for season 2 is Take It All In from Zapsplatt

To find out more about the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, including the best places to stargaze, go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/dark-skies-hub

This season, join Elinor to explore and encounter some of our fabulous nocturnal wildlife.

For this episode, she joins Olivia French, Heathlands Reunited SAMM Project Team Leader, in the north of the South Downs National Park at Weavers Down, seeking out the amazing and elusive European nightjar.

Sitting on the side of a hill as the sun sets, waiting for the nightjars to make themselves known, Olivia and Elinor discuss the importance of heathlands, the amazing wildlife that calls it home and this special bird who migrates thousands of miles every year to nest on these sites.

Whether you are a regular on heathlands and have heard nightjars churring before, or this is your first introduction to these magical creatures, this episode is sure to inspire you to get outdoors, explore and embrace the darkness!

Remember, if you have a question, comment or suggestion, please email embracethedarkness@southdowns.gov.uk

#SouthDowns #NightSky #DarkSkies #EmbraceTheDarkness #NocturnalWildlife

Thank you for listening to ‘Embrace the Darkness’, presented by Elinor Newman.

The podcast is recorded and produced by the South Downs National Park Authority from the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

Season 2 edited by Francesca Turauskis of Tremula Network.

Music for season 1 is Orbit by D0d, direct from Uppbeat.

Music for season 2 is Take It All In from Zapsplatt

To find out more about the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, including the best places to stargaze, go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/dark-skies-hub

Join Elinor for a magical night under the stars as she explores the breathtaking dark skies of Bignor Hill, a designated dark sky discovery site.

Elinor is joined by Vicki Wells, a member of the South Downs National Park Authority and a former producer of BBC Sky at Night, for a fascinating conversation about astronomy, dark sky conservation, and the beauty of stargazing.

As the sun sets, they discuss the importance of preserving natural darkness, the wonders of the night sky, and what makes places like Bignor Hill so special for celestial observation.

Whether you're an avid stargazer or just curious about the cosmos, this episode is sure to inspire you to look up and embrace the night!

Remember, if you have a question, comment or suggestion, please email embracethedarkness@southdowns.gov.uk

#SouthDowns #NightSky #DarkSkies #EmbraceTheDarkness #Astronomy #Space

Thank you for listening to ‘Embrace the Darkness’, presented by Elinor Newman.

The podcast is recorded and produced by the South Downs National Park Authority from the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

Music is Orbit by D0d, direct from Uppbeat.

To find out more about the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, including the best places to stargaze, go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/DarkSkies