Badger set questions

[Lemars]

Morning any and all

I recently stumbled upon an enormous, active badger sett. I would love to be able to view the badgers and could access the area at any time - even by driving to within 20 yards of it because it's situated at a junction of 2 forest tracks.

I have searched online for the `do's' and `don'ts' about disturbing them, but someone is, perhaps, monitoring them (I've no way of finding out who unless I meet them) because there are several rough, wooden `tripods' about 3' high and covered with a plastic sleeve dotted around the site. Under each sleeve is a bottle (on its side). Any ideas what those are for ?

I didn't notice any seats in trees, but must admit that I wasn't looking for any (having only seen this suggestion after the online search). Wouldn't they be disturbed unless one stayed in the tree all night? Once they've emerged from their setts, how far do they normally roam and would they be likely to cross those forest tracks ?

There are so many holes, over such a large area that I'd be at a loss as to where to place myself and wouldn't really want to be in the middle of a forest, alone, after dark. If I find a sympathetic companion (quote from husband - "I'd rather be in my bed") what would be a wise course of action to take? I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions anyone could offer.

How aggressive could they be ? Are they likely to sense someone in a car?

These all seem such ridiculous questions, now that I'm writing them down, but I'm not sure where to start on this - I'd just love to see them.

C

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Lemars

Morning any and all

I recently stumbled upon an enormous, active badger sett. I would love to be able to view the badgers and could access the area at any time - even by driving to within 20 yards of it because it's situated at a junction of 2 forest tracks.

I have searched online for the `do's' and `don'ts' about disturbing them, but someone is, perhaps, monitoring them (I've no way of finding out who unless I meet them) because there are several rough, wooden `tripods' about 3' high and covered with a plastic sleeve dotted around the site. Under each sleeve is a bottle (on its side). Any ideas what those are for ?

I didn't notice any seats in trees, but must admit that I wasn't looking for any (having only seen this suggestion after the online search). Wouldn't they be disturbed unless one stayed in the tree all night? Once they've emerged from their setts, how far do they normally roam and would they be likely to cross those forest tracks ?

There are so many holes, over such a large area that I'd be at a loss as to where to place myself and wouldn't really want to be in the middle of a forest, alone, after dark. If I find a sympathetic companion (quote from husband - "I'd rather be in my bed") what would be a wise course of action to take? I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions anyone could offer.

How aggressive could they be ? Are they likely to sense someone in a car?

These all seem such ridiculous questions, now that I'm writing them down, but I'm not sure where to start on this - I'd just love to see them.

C

Morning

No idea about the bottles, other than a water source.


Badgers can roam considerable distances several km per night and have favored feeding areas within their home territory which they regularly visit often on a nightly basis. This distance varies between each territory and within different areas at different times of year. Due to it being in woodland they are likely to travel less of a distance due to it being good habitat, and territory sizes probably being small. By knowing the location of the set it makes it easier to monitor them. They will cross the tracks and maybe even use them to travel along.

I would scatter some peanuts around the sett so you can monitor them, before they move off. If they do move as some stay close to the sett, some nights. I would stay in the car (lights and emission off) and use it as a hide.

[Lemars]

Thank you Doghound - for the second time in a row (the buzzard wing too)!

I'll do as suggested - but I think I'll wait for the next full moon, or I'll end up sitting there in the inky blackness wondering where the noise is coming from.

Taking pictures would be a problem too, wouldn't it, since a flash would disturb them too. Otherwise I'd post any pictures I managed to get. Still, just to see them would be wonderful.

I'll take your advice and lay a peanut trail to encourage them to come in the right direction.

C

[Little Mele]

Good morning,

I hope you have managed to see your badgers now, but have added the link below to help if not.

BADGER WATCHING - A FEW BASIC RULES TO HELP WITH YOUR BADGER WATCHING...

SELBY BADGER WATCH - welcome to our website

Not sure what the bottles are about, presume they are plastic and if so, could they be used for some purpose, maybe to rest a camera on? other than that the person monitoring the badgers may be bringing them water.

On a slightly sinister note and I don't wish to scare you, but the killing of badgers is still LEGAL in France. In fact I once had an email from one moron saying (after he had been convicted in court) that he was going to France to kill badgers.

Anyway that aside, peanuts put in a regular place, spread over a larger area, will encourage badgers to feed and forage together, so you can watch them longer. Also peanut butter spread onto logs and peanuts squashed in.

Good luck

[Lemars]

Morning Little Mele

Thanks for that - I'll take peanut butter too. Next full moon.

I didn't know it was legal to kill badgers here, but it surprises me not one jot.

If areas are protected - hunting is not allowed because the landowner wishes to protect the wildlife within it - there are usually signs up to keep hunters out (not that they always obey). There are none anywhere around this site, so the local hunters MUST know the badgers are there.

In that case, I could almost imagine that the tripods were there to rest guns and the bottles (which were glass - wine variety) were there to sustain the owners of the guns, but the tripods are too low - and there were too many of them.
Wouldn't the badgers vacate the set if they were disturbed in that way ?
The only way I'd find out is to watch whoever put them there, of course.

I'll go and look at the links you sent me - I'd found a few when I searched, but I'd prefer to maximise my information before the next moon.

C

[The Woodman]

Hi Lemars

Can you post an image of the tripods, please?

[Lemars]

Hey Woodman - I'll try to go and get some in the next few days (the sett is a few miles from here and I need the car !!!)

C

[Little Mele]

badger baiting in France - France Forum

Hope this link opens, but the forum describes one such "event" or contest

[Lemars]

Well, having blithely stated a couple of days ago that the sett appeared active, I now have my doubts.

I've just been over there again (car was returned during daylight hours) to take some pictures. Although there appears to have been activity of some sort near the sett I'm less confident after what I've read today.
It is clearly much, much newer than the other local sett. I knew straight away that the other one was abandoned.

I saw no evidence of a latrine or bedding - but something has been around there. Maybe it's a fox ?
There are at least 30 holes over an area 40 x 25 yards - and 7 of these `tripod' things (one with and one after I'd removed the plastic cover).



A couple of the holes:



And the earth is bone dry, so impossible to recognise this print (for me, anyway):


If I can, I'll still go over there with peanuts when the opportunity arises - even if it's only to see a fox !! I could ask him if they left a forwarding address !!

Can anyone make any further comments - now that there are some photos - please?

C

[The Woodman]

I've never seen anything like it and enquiries over the channel are underway.