Ever since I discovered that nocturnal 'visitors' were feasting on my expensive new dahlias, I have been making making regular slug-and-snail patrols in the garden between 10 and 11pm. As well as the leaf-nibblers, I've been surprised at the other wildlife I've found in the garden at this time of day. In July, it was twilight when I made my nightly rounds, and I often stopped to watch bats swoop around the taller trees along our west wall. Most evenings, I find a newt somewhere in the vicinity of the pond; tonight I saw a little lizard-like creature on the opposite end of the garden, under a clump of marjoram at the edge of the herb garden. On several occasions a large frog has hopped out of the undergrowth. Despatching slugs may not be my favourite acitivity, but my night-time excursions have brought some unexpected delights.