Anyone watching badgers?

Mexico · #1 (**permalink**) 17-09-2009, 09:52 PM

Hi
I know a lot of people here are watching badgers. I am now, too! I've been lucky enough to have access to some badgers and a hide at the Barn Owl Centre in Gloucester. I've been feeding them since 13th July and I'm having some success at getting close to them now. I don't know how long it takes for them to begin to accept you, but have a look at some of the latest video I've taken and there must be some acceptance there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zma74RsWCZU

Currently, we don't have access to the sett, so putting peanuts and dog meat down is how we get them to come into the feeding area. This isn't totally natural behaviour, but it is mighty exciting being very close to these beautiful animals. Luckily the farm on which the centre now resides is also a nature reserve and we also get foxes, Barn, Tawny and Little Owls and a multitude of other creatures.

I also write a blog which gives the ups and downs of this sort of thing. Have a look if you are interested. It starts here for the first post; Natural Observations: First Ramblings or if you prefer to go to the latest news, just go to Natural Observations.

I'm interested in other people's badger watching exploits, especially if you take members of the public on to watch your animals.

Good luck if you are off badger watching soon!
Mex

valleyforge · #2 (**permalink**) 18-09-2009, 09:02 AM

Hi Mexico .... impressive video.

And an interesting blog too ... thanks for sharing these links. Looking forward to seeing more of your posts about your group of badgers.

ViperaBerus · #3 (**permalink**) 18-09-2009, 09:04 AM

I've been watching my local sett for some years now. I used to throw some peanuts down but have stopped that as I can view the sett quite closely anyway, so there is no need. As it is in woodland with alot of people traffic, I don't want to desensitise them to humans.

They are fascinating creatures, and very comical.

Badger Watching Man · #4 (**permalink**) 18-09-2009, 10:55 PM

Great video - a real nose-to-nose encounter!

Words · #5 (**permalink**) 20-09-2009, 08:59 AM

I love badger encounters. Mainly I see them on the trail cam I set up in the garden to monitor our foxes. I was delighted the first time a badher put in an appearance. Those visits are getting more regular and on really lucky nights one of the badgers has appeared while I've been in the garden. Last night was exceptional. The sow showed up and stayed for three minutes eating peanuts while I took photos from about 12-15 feet away. And then, instead of retreating to the back of the garden, she decided to leave via the front, so had to come down the path past me, knowing that I was there.

It's always an absolute privilege to see these wonderful animals.

Here are a couple of photos (more on my blog). In the second picture she's sporting a nasty looking bite (presumably from another badger).

Bumblebeebob · #6 (**permalink**) 20-09-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Words

I love badger encounters. Mainly I see them on the trail cam I set up in the garden to monitor our foxes. I was delighted the first time a badher put in an appearance. Those visits are getting more regular and on really lucky nights one of the badgers has appeared while I've been in the garden. Last night was exceptional. The sow showed up and stayed for three minutes eating peanuts while I took photos from about 12-15 feet away. And then, instead of retreating to the back of the garden, she decided to leave via the front, so had to come down the path past me, knowing that I was there.

It's always an absolute privilege to see these wonderful animals.

Here are a couple of photos (more on my blog). In the second picture she's sporting a nasty looking bite (presumably from another badger).

It's great when you can get close to them. I have a family of 5 visiting my garden, in an attempt to stop them digging up the garden quite so much I do feed them peanut butter sandwiches & peanuts now & then, a strategy that has had limited success! The older female seems quite unafraid of humans & will even come into my kitchen if the back door is ajar on warm evenings, it was quite a shock the first time it happened whilst I was watching a scary movie & the back door slowly swung open in the dark!
Although I live round the corner from woodland I think this particular clan are living in a neighbour's garden.

Words · #7 (**permalink**) 20-09-2009, 01:03 PM

I'm not sure I'd want them coming into the house, but quite amazing nonetheless! We're fairly careful about keeping the door shut, otherwise we'd be overrun with foxes.

Bumblebeebob · #8 (**permalink**) 21-09-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Words

I'm not sure I'd want them coming into the house, but quite amazing nonetheless! We're fairly careful about keeping the door shut, otherwise we'd be overrun with foxes.

Yes, she only comes a short way over the threshold but it's not something I try to encourage, & I'm aware when they are around. she's just much bolder than the rest! Though when I go to shoo her out, she does so in her own good time not in some mad, frantic scramble.

She must have learnt from one of the local cats that just wanders in now & then.

Mexico · #9 (**permalink**) 21-09-2009, 10:04 PM

Hi
It's good to hear your stories regarding your badger watching exploits. Badgers in the kitchen sounds like fun! I've had them in the hide, nearly, but I chickened out and scared them off. They seem to have forgiven me, though!

Some nice pictures too, especially in your own garden. I'm not that lucky, but certainly don't mind driving the mile, or so, to where I watch them. I had a fantastic encounter on Sunday night. Check out the blog for details (I haven't posted yet, but will do soon!).

Carry on watching and enjoying these wonderful animals.

Mex

Scubapauly · #10 (**permalink**) 22-09-2009, 06:51 PM

I've been watching a sett through the summer. There's up to 5 badgers regularly out and about. Also some foxes and the occasional deer.

Videos can be found here

YouTube - MrScubapauly's Channel

loripo · #11 (**permalink**) 22-09-2009, 07:24 PM

Lovely clips - I watched the fox and the eagle owl too.

I remember you were asking about camcorders recentky , so what did you use to get these?

Mexico · #12 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 02:54 PM

Loripo
Yes, that is the camcorder I ended up buying. I was torn between a big zoom and HD; HD won at the end of the day. The camcorder is a Panasonic SD200 with a 12x optical zoom. Not very much compared to some, just have to rely on my field skills more! Quality is very good and it's very compact. Takes 10mp stills as well. Not as though the quality shows through by time it's been put onto Youtube! It's not bad for videoing badgers, with auxillary lighting, of course!

Mex

loripo · #13 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 03:39 PM

Thank you - I will check that out. Do let us see any others you do

Mexico · #14 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 03:41 PM

Scubapauly
You have some nice videos there. What camera are you using? The night vision is good, depending on how dark it is. I was interested in the clip with the foxcub scaring the badger. The badger in that shot carries itself really high compared to the badgers I watch. Either that or it has really long legs. I noticed it's tail is very long and noticeable too. Have you noticed that one being slightly different to the others? Also, have you managed to identify individuals? I still struggle to tell them apart, especially now the cubs are catching the others up.

Thanks for the link,
Mex

Scubapauly · #15 (**permalink**) 24-09-2009, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mexico

Scubapauly
You have some nice videos there. What camera are you using? The night vision is good, depending on how dark it is. I was interested in the clip with the foxcub scaring the badger. The badger in that shot carries itself really high compared to the badgers I watch. Either that or it has really long legs. I noticed it's tail is very long and noticeable too. Have you noticed that one being slightly different to the others? Also, have you managed to identify individuals? I still struggle to tell them apart, especially now the cubs are catching the others up.

Thanks for the link,
Mex

The camcorder is an old Sony TRV Hi-8, with the old style of nite vision and a 36x optical zoom. It still manages to produce some great quality footage for its age.
I've managed to identify some of the badgers, the largest one has a bad scar on its back. The 2 cubs have slightly different markings on their face. Been out a few times lately but not seen them. Changing seasons means I keep missing them.

Paul

Bumblebeebob · #16 (**permalink**) 24-09-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mexico

Scubapauly
You have some nice videos there. What camera are you using? The night vision is good, depending on how dark it is. I was interested in the clip with the foxcub scaring the badger. The badger in that shot carries itself really high compared to the badgers I watch. Either that or it has really long legs. I noticed it's tail is very long and noticeable too. Have you noticed that one being slightly different to the others? Also, have you managed to identify individuals? I still struggle to tell them apart, especially now the cubs are catching the others up.

Thanks for the link,
Mex

I've noticed that the younger badgers in my garden do seem to carry themselves higher than the older ones, maybe it's to give others the perception that they are larger? The large boar that visits is so lazy he just lays down on his belly to eat the peanuts!