Badger watching
Badger watching is an incredibly relaxing way of spending a spring or summer evening. Indeed, badger watching at a sett deep in the woods is an engrossing experience, particularly when cubs are about.
And whilst watching badgers, there’s always a chance, of course, of seeing fox and deer, and sharing the evening with woodcocks, owls and nightjars.
In fact, everybody with the slightest interest in natural history should at least once in a lifetime spend an evening watching badgers.
Watchers, though, to be successful, should exercise great care, for these are wary creatures.
Badger eyesight is relatively poor and, oddly, does not seem to be particularly well-adapted for night vision – it’s not unusual for badgers to come within a few feet of a stationary, silent observer standing downwind of them.
But badger hearing is excellent. Sudden, unexpected sounds will always cause alarm. A twig cracking, a whispered voice, even the sudden cry of a green woodpecker is likely to result in an immediate bolt for the safety of the sett.
And as would be expected, the badger’s sense of smell is outstanding. Indeed, the first animal to emerge from the sett will often scent the air, lifting its snout first one way then the other, testing for danger before going back underground prior to the main emergence of other family members. Then once above ground, unexpected aromas carried on the breeze will inevitably cause a dash for the sett.
To obtain good views of badgers without causing disturbance, watchers should be in position by the sett well before dusk; should remain downwind; be dressed in sober-coloured, rustle-free clothing; be quiet; still; and not too close to the action.
And just as importantly, after badger watching has finished, the area of the sett should be left with as much care as was taken on arrival – imagine a badger quietly going about its business, only to witness in the dusk an explosion of noise and movement just outside its front door. Scary? I should say so.
with New Forest badger watching, courtesy of Doug
Hounsome who provided this fascinating footage
Please remember, too, that the welfare of the Badgers is paramount, and far more important than ‘getting a better view’. Indeed, badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, which makes it illegal to kill, injure or take badgers or to interfere with a sett. (Interference with a sett includes blocking tunnels or damaging the sett in any way).
Members of the New Forest Badger Group have been watching and studying badgers in the New Forest since 1969, and always welcome new members. Further details are available on their web site - New Forest Badger Group.
Further information and a variety of fascinating badger videos
References:
The Natural History of Badgers, Ernest Neal
Badgers: Ernest Neal and Chris Cheeseman
Darkness Is Light Enough: Chris Ferris
Out of the Darkness: Chris Ferris
Eileen Soper's Badgers
Mammals of Britain and Europe: David Macdonald and Priscilla Barrett
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Sadly, 58 animals were killed - 35 ponies, 13 cows, 8 donkeys and 2 sheep, whilst a further 32 were injured - 3 pigs, 9 donkeys, 11 cows and 9 ponies.
(Forty-three accidents occurred in daylight, 15 at twilight and 101 in the dark. Twenty-seven accidents were not reported by the driver involved).
Here's just one horrific example - Three donkeys killed in collision with van at notorious New Forest blackspot (Advertiser and Times)