What Animal Makes a Loud Screeching Noise at Night in the UK?

The Mysterious Screeches of the Night

Honestly, if you've ever been jolted awake by a terrifying, high-pitched screech in the middle of the night, you're not alone. I remember the first time I heard it—I genuinely thought some kind of creature was being attacked in my garden. It turns out, the UK is home to several nocturnal animals that make eerie screeching sounds, and some of them are much closer to your home than you might think!

So, what exactly is making that unsettling noise? Let’s dive into the most likely culprits.

The Top Animals That Screech at Night in the UK

1. The Red Fox – The Most Common Night Screamer

If I had to put my money on one animal responsible for those eerie nighttime shrieks, it would be the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Foxes are notorious for their chilling screams, especially during the mating season.

Why Do Foxes Scream?

• Mating Season (December to February) – The vixen (female fox) emits high-pitched screams to attract males. It’s their way of saying, “I’m available!”
• Territorial Disputes – Foxes are highly territorial, and males will screech aggressively at intruders.
• Communication with Cubs – Mother foxes sometimes make sharp, short screeches to call their young.

I’ll never forget the night I heard an ear-piercing scream right outside my window. I ran outside with a flashlight, expecting to find a scene from a horror movie—only to spot two foxes casually trotting off as if nothing had happened!

2. Barn Owls – The Ghostly Night Hunters

Another top contender for the title of "UK's most terrifying nighttime screecher" is the barn owl (Tyto alba). Unlike the classic "hoot" you might expect from an owl, barn owls produce a long, drawn-out, raspy screech that sounds almost supernatural.

When and Why Do Barn Owls Screech?

• Hunting Calls – Barn owls screech to communicate with their mate while searching for prey.
• Defensive Screeches – If a barn owl feels threatened, it will let out a loud, spine-chilling scream to warn off predators.
• Juvenile Owls Begging for Food – Young barn owls will screech persistently at their parents when they’re hungry (which is often!).

I once heard a barn owl’s screech while walking near a field at night—it sent shivers down my spine. It was only when I saw its ghostly white shape gliding through the trees that I realized what it was.

3. The Screeching Badger – A Rare but Startling Sound

Badgers are not known for being loud animals, but they can produce a surprising variety of vocalizations, including screeches.

When Do Badgers Screech?

• Fights Between Badgers – These can get surprisingly aggressive, and the noises they make include sharp, high-pitched cries.
• Mating Calls – Like foxes, badgers can sometimes let out screeches during courtship rituals.

Though badger screeches are less common, if you live near woodlands or rural areas, you might just hear one someday.

4. Hedgehogs – Tiny but Loud!

This one surprised me when I first heard it. Who would have thought that such a small, adorable animal could make such loud screeching sounds?

Why Do Hedgehogs Screech?

• Mating Calls – If you hear a repeated, breathy screech in the dead of night, you might be listening to a male hedgehog trying to impress a female.
• Distress or Pain – Hedgehogs can also screech if they are injured or feel threatened.

I once found a hedgehog in my garden making strange grunting and screeching noises. At first, I thought it was in trouble, but after some research, I realized it was just part of their odd mating ritual.

How to Identify the Nocturnal Screecher in Your Area

1. Pay Attention to the Sound Itself

• Long, high-pitched screams? Likely a fox.
• Raspy, ghostly screech? Probably a barn owl.
• Short, sharp cries? Could be a badger or a hedgehog.

2. Look for Other Signs

• Foxes leave footprints and sometimes dig holes in gardens.
• Barn owls tend to perch on rooftops or in barns—watch for their pale shape in the moonlight.
• Badgers leave signs like dug-up soil or well-worn paths in wooded areas.
• Hedgehogs are often found rustling through leaves.

3. Set Up a Night Camera

If you're really curious, a simple motion-activated night camera can capture footage of your nighttime visitors. I tried this once and caught a fox mid-screech—it was both hilarious and slightly terrifying to see its mouth wide open in full scream mode.

Conclusion: What’s That Screech in the Night?

So, next time you hear that spine-chilling noise in the middle of the night, don’t panic! Chances are, it’s just one of the UK’s many nocturnal creatures going about their business. Foxes are the most common culprits, but barn owls, badgers, and even hedgehogs can also contribute to the nighttime symphony.

Honestly, now that I know what’s making the noise, I actually find it kind of fascinating (though I still jump a little when I hear that first unexpected screech at night). So, have you ever heard a mysterious nighttime screech? Let me know—I’d love to hear your stories!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.