Pori and his sister share earbuds on a bench in a courtyard. Then something zigzags through the lamplight.
It's a common pipistrelle, one of the smallest bats. It weighs around five grams, about as much as a coin, and finds insects in the dark with sound. Lamps attract moths, like the large yellow underwing in this clip, and the moths attract bats.
The city has a night shift. Once you know it's there, dusk becomes the most exciting time to be outside.
Found in this clip
- Common pipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus
- Large yellow underwingNoctua pronuba
- Garden cross spiderAraneus diadematushidden in the clip
Try it outside
On a mild evening, go out at dusk with someone from your family and sit near a streetlamp in a park or courtyard. Watch the air above the lamp for fast, zigzagging shapes. Bring a jacket, not a torch.
Porini is free for schools.
Start a Porini seasonSources
Animation, visuals and voice made with AI.
All field notes