Badger watching tips?

[Queen bee]

On the far side of one of our fields, there is a badger sett that seems to be in regular use-- there are fresh latrines and heaps of bedding everywhere. Now that I have a long holiday ahead of me, I'm planning to go down and hopefully watch them, if we ever get another nice evening. Here's pretty much what I'm going to do:

• Take my camouflage net and wear neutrally-coloured clothes
  
  Work out which way the wind is blowing so I can sit downwind
  
  I'll avoid walking next to the sett -- they'll smell me on the grass. There's also a path up the side of the field I think they've made -- I'll stay clear of this too.
  
  Hopefully, I can find somewhere comfortable(ish) so I won't need to fidget so much
  
  Going to go in the evening -- would 8-ish be a good time?
  
  I definetely WILL NOT bring the dog XD
  
  

So any further advice? I'd really appreciate it!

[Badger Watching Man]

Sounds like you'll be doing all the right things there, Queen bee!

You've got the wind/scent thing worked out, and that's the main thing. As long as you stay still then the badgers should be perfectly happy.

The badgers I watch are coming out at about 8.30-8.45pm at the moment. It may be a good idea to arrive a little earlier to begin with just to be sure and to give you time to get settled. There's nothing more frustrating than arriving at a sett to see a row of stripey faces staring at you because they got up early that day.

Be prepared to stay late too. Once the badgers are out it is difficult to get up and leave without disturbing them, so you may be there for an hour or so until they go off foraging.

Other than that, a couple of tips for your own comfort. If you can take a cushion of some sort (I use an inflatable one) then you'll be less likely to fidget. That's my excuse anyway! Also, at this time of year, think about mosquitoes etc. I'm actually sitting out wearing wellies and thick gloves these days - it gets warm, but at least I don't get eaten alive on my hands and ankles like I used to. Again, I find it easier to sit still if I'm not having to continually swat the mossies.

Good luck - and let us know how you got on. I look forward to seeing the pictures!

[Scubapauly]

I recently 'adopted' a family of badgers in my local wood. Again, they're out around 8:30-ish. I usually get there just before 8 and get comfy. I put out a couple of handfuls of peanuts for them. I use full camouflage as I often have a video camera set up. I don't want to spook them by setting up my hide though.

I have some video of them on youtube if you'd like to see

YouTube - MrScubapauly's Channel

[Queen bee]

Thanks for the tips! And I watched a bit of the video, ScubaPauly: thanks for the inspiration.

[NicolaB]

When I've been badger watching I've usually taken a few peanuts and raisins along as well to scatter around the sett area before they emerge...it means they'll stick around a bit longer before going off on their nightly wanders.

The ones I saw in Dorset were out at 7:30! I think this might have been unusually early though, possibly because they've been fed there for years?. Apparently warm still weather encourages them to get up a bit earlier as well

Good luck!