London Badgers?

[ennelevengrey]

Firstly hello all! Just joined the forum today

Where is the best place to see badgers in North London? Have lived in London all my life and have been lucky enough to see foxes, hedgehogs, deer, mice (of all varieties) and even voles, but as of yet no badgers. Any suggestions anyone?

[RoyW]

Hi, and welcome to WAB.

You are unlikely to be given details of sites with Badgers by people who don't personally know you because there are still people who seek out badger setts for illegal persecution (and it is certainly not advisable for details to be posted openly on an internet forum).

Their are a few fairly well publicised sites where you have a good chance of seeing badgers though - if you are willing to pay for an evening spent in a hide. One of these is not far from north London, in Hertfordshire: Index Page
(must be booked in advance, with bookings only taken between specific times on specific days - as directed on the website).

Roy.

[healfdan]

Well said RoyW. Giving information regarding badger setts is a sensitive issue. I am sure that the small band of people involved with badger baiting are well aware of most of the sites but you cannot take chances where the welfare of the badger is at risk. The majority of wardens who have setts on their sites would be very upset, if vulnerable locations were to be identified.
Suggest you seek out the sites that are already in the public domain as mentioned by RoyW.

[Deb London]

Gosh, do we sound like an unfriendly lot? Hope you understand, it's NOT that at all.

Learn to ID sets and tracks and then the world of badgerdom will be revealed. Help with identifying badger holes, tracks and signs is just a few clicks away on here, with some good photos. They do some fascinating things when you know the clues to look for. When out in reserves, take some time to carefully walk off the beaten tracks. Before you know it, you'll be an expert.

[SpikyPhasmid]

Badger baiting still exists???
I do know that there are setts in Kew Gardens. I think it's safe to say this as they advertise it! Occasionally they have badger-watching evenings at Wakehurst, you have to book in advance and pay. I don't know if they ever have them at the main gardens, I've certainly never seen it advertised, and if they did I'd be all over it. Since badgers come out at night, you probably won't see them outside of a guided walk.
http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens...adger-sett.htm
Wakehurst is not too easy to get to, though:
Visit Wakehurst - How to Find Us

[ennelevengrey]

thanks for the replies - I shall investigate local mammal & wildlife groups & see what they advise in terms of walks etc. Wildlife safety is always the top priority and I do tend to forget sometimes that there are some folks out in the world who don't like badgers or indeed any wildlife.

Sad news about the potential cull in England.