If i start lights today dose that mean i won't be able to light the full set tia

You can still light the full set.  The door closes every 12 hours.  Then you can open the next door.  For example, if you open the door at 8 am, it will close at 8 pm.  You can then open it at 8 pm and it will close at 8 am.  If you put out the correct food for the wildlife in your calendar on the correct tables, you can have most or all of the wildlife spotted in your own garden while you sleep.  For example, I had a Festive Duck in my calendar, I put out veggies on high tables (which only field mice and ducks could eat), and had over 8 Festive Ducks spotted in my garden while I slept.

Many thanks

last year you were able to start over again or go back a day if you didn't get all the colors.  Is this not a thing this year?  That is disappointing because on days like "robin" it is very difficult to get enough

can i go back 2 days x

Yes, just go back a day, then go back a day again.

I’m confused. Do I have to spot 8 critters in other gardens or in mine to unblock colors

Justi - you can do a combination. Ones you spot in other gardens and ones spotted in yours will all unlock more colours. But the spotting in your garden needs to be done by someone else, you can't spot your own.

Thanks Gem ☺️

I have spotted many of the critters I need today and my color should be green, but it's still showing red on my garden page... any suggestions or is anyone else having this issue today?