Foxes, badgers and otters in Glasgow?

[Chump]

Hello!

I regularly see foxes in the West End of Glasgow, but I only ever see them for a few seconds at a time as they trot past. I have also checked some of the wooded areas within the West End for dens but found nothing, so I suspect they've made their homes under sheds or in gardens.

Does anyone on here know of any places around Glasgow where one might get a more prolonged view of foxes, or where they congregate?

I'd also like to know if there are any places where badgers or otters are likely to be seen. I've had a brief look for signs but found nothing convincing. I'm aware that theese animals arw more wary of humans than foxes are, but I'm hopeful that someone will know something.

[~T~]

Originally Posted by Chump

Hello!

I regularly see foxes in the West End of Glasgow, but I only ever see them for a few seconds at a time as they trot past. I have also checked some of the wooded areas within the West End for dens but found nothing, so I suspect they've made their homes under sheds or in gardens.

Does anyone on here know of any places around Glasgow where one might get a more prolonged view of foxes, or where they congregate?

I'd also like to know if there are any places where badgers or otters are likely to be seen. I've had a brief look for signs but found nothing convincing. I'm aware that theese animals arw more wary of humans than foxes are, but I'm hopeful that someone will know something.

Hi mate. Because these animals are protected(well otters and badgers anyway) and often where they frequent is not publicised as people interested in them for other reasons may search forums for locations you may or may not hit a blank here. Fox wise I know Kelvingrove Park at dawn and dusk is probably your best bet to get more than a fleeting glance of them though it's also the time where it's best to avoid that area I know someone who regularly put food out for them there and they would come close enough to get some good views.

Otters have apparently been seen in the River Kelvin and Clyde but I suspect at least the majority of sightings to be mink. I've seen mink at the Firhill Basin in the Forth and Clyde Canal and The River Cart. Quite close to where I live a guy has a pool in his property with trout and some course fish and is convinced an otter is taking his bigger fish now and again. It is actually quite good otter habitat round there but again I suspect it to be mink as I've seen them there too. I looked around there a fair bit last summer but had no luck seeing anything. Sadly if the guy does come across one he's likely to shoot it.

Badgers I can't help at all with. I don't know of any locations anywhere in Scotland.

[theresa dockery]

The only thing I can suggest is putting food out in your garden - if there are foxes nearby they will definitely pay a visit.

When I lived in the West End, I was lucky enough to have a fox den in the back garden - the cubs were fun to watch!
For some reason the foxes liked to climb and sit on top of parked cars.

For otters, you may have to travel to the outlying countryside around Glasgow (I've seen spraints/footprints around the lochs in the Kilpatrick Hills & at the Endrick mouth).

I've never seen badgers in Glasgow or the Kilpatrick Hills/Clydebank in over 15 years of looking for them.

The only *potentially* active sett I know of - I cannot disclose the location for, as there have been recent attempts to dig the badgers

The Scottish Wildlife Trust organises badger watches at the Falls of Clyde (that's the only time I've ever seen live badgers), you could always give that a try?

[Chump]

Thanks for the replies!

By coincidence I found two badger footprints in a wood where I walk during my lunch break today! I too have heard about badger digging around the Glasgow area, so I suspected that people would be reluctant to disclose locations - and for the same reason, I shall not say where I saw the footprints, except to say that they're well outwith the city.

I shall check out the suggestions and keep looking!

[~T~]

Originally Posted by Chump

Thanks for the replies!

By coincidence I found two badger footprints in a wood where I walk during my lunch break today! I too have heard about badger digging around the Glasgow area, so I suspected that people would be reluctant to disclose locations - and for the same reason, I shall not say where I saw the footprints, except to say that they're well outwith the city.

I shall check out the suggestions and keep looking!

No probs mate. Feel free to pm me the location, im a nice fellow

[laz]

Hi,

I was lucky enough to see a dog otter and a smaller one (? juvenile) on Boxing day 2011 whilst walking along the Kelvin walkway. It was one of the days when the river was completely iced over, and both were using holes in the ice to enter and exit the water. Both were catching trout with ease. The large one was completely fearless, going about his business in close proximity to everyone including their dogs. I saw the smaller one the following day, but have not seen either since.
I managed to get some good video clips which will supress any suspicion that they may have been mink.
I think this was a once in a lifetime experience, possibly as a result of the conditions which made the otters have to come out onto the ice to enter the water. Whatever, it was very special and proves that the river is capable of supporting a varied fauna. I also occasionally see kingfishers and salmon, alongside more common residents.
I can post the video if anyone is interested and if that's possible on this forum.

Laz

[aeshna5]

Have you been to the future? Boxing Day 2011? I'm guessing you meant last year!

[Endrick]

The area around Glasgow Green heading east along the north bank of the river up to Rutherglen is a real wildlife haven I've taken recent pictures of a porpoise, a seal, fox and a mink there. If you can sit quietly in early morning up above the railway bridge it's surprising what you will see - no badgers or otters though. There are also good numbers of birds around. However the best place for foxes I know is Balmore Road in Possilpark. I have seen up to half a dozen in the couples of miles from the motorway out to the graveyard. Late at night seems to be best.

[~T~]

Originally Posted by laz

Hi,

I was lucky enough to see a dog otter and a smaller one (? juvenile) on Boxing day 2011 whilst walking along the Kelvin walkway. It was one of the days when the river was completely iced over, and both were using holes in the ice to enter and exit the water. Both were catching trout with ease. The large one was completely fearless, going about his business in close proximity to everyone including their dogs. I saw the smaller one the following day, but have not seen either since.
I managed to get some good video clips which will supress any suspicion that they may have been mink.
I think this was a once in a lifetime experience, possibly as a result of the conditions which made the otters have to come out onto the ice to enter the water. Whatever, it was very special and proves that the river is capable of supporting a varied fauna. I also occasionally see kingfishers and salmon, alongside more common residents.
I can post the video if anyone is interested and if that's possible on this forum.

Laz

Yes please post. I think you would have to upload the vids to youtube and just link them to here as I dont think WAB hosts videos.

[Chump]

Again. thanks for the relpies!

After many evening wanderings around the West End I have found a an area around the Botanics where there is quite a reliable chance of seeing a fox. One evening I saw one fox chase another away, so I think their territories may come adjacent in that area.

I have also finally managed to locate the sett of the badgers which left the footprints near my work. There have been more signs appearing over the last couple of weeks, so I think they're becoming more active now (I believe I read somewhere that they go into a sort of semi-hibernation during the winter), which was a great help in finding it. I anticipate many evenings watching them to come! There are also signs of foxes and deer nearby, which is most excellent also.