Badger in January?

[Geociao2011]

Last week a badger ran across the road in front of me while I was driving to work. Sadly, there was a dead badger on the road side when I made the return journey. I know it has been unusually warm this winter. I live in the North East of Scotland and it's been 10 degrees at night some weeks. That said, I don't think I have ever seen a Badger in January. Should the poor thing be out and about at this time of year? There is a lot of timber harvesting in this region and I am concerned they may disturb hibernating animals?

As always I welcoome any thoughts on this?

[Dogghound]

Bagders don't hibernate and are active throughout the winter. They do tend to stay in the sett when it's really cold and can stay underground for several weeks in very cold temperatures, but are still active and move around, wake up etc.

[Geociao2011]

Thank you for that, I have obviously been lucky to not see a dead Badger so early in the year. Thanks again.

[Coventry Lee]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Bagders don't hibernate and are active throughout the winter. They do tend to stay in the sett when it's really cold and can stay underground for several weeks in very cold temperatures, but are still active and move around, wake up etc.

Do you know how cold weather (particularly snow) impacts upon the activity of mammals? I was surprised early this morning when I took a walk in the snow that I couldn't see any animal tracks whatsoever. This on farmland in a pretty rural area.

There are known to be Foxes, Badgers and Muntjac in the area and there are plenty of Rabbits. Yet I saw not evidence of a thing. Of course it may just be that wild animals don't stick to human footpaths, but there was no sign of anything at all.

[Dogghound]

All of the species you mention continue to be active in snow. Could the snow have blown over the footprints or had the snow occurred late in night/morning after activity?

Even well used human path ways still get prints. Might be worth looking along hedgerows for tracks as most mammals follow these.

[Coventry Lee]

It was snowing from about 2pm until at least midnight, when I went to bed. It was also quite windy so it's possible any snow had blown over prints.

[Dogghound]

I would still expect some though. How far did you check? Try looking at crossings through streams, gaps in hedges, under fences, around ponds and areas near food sources. If you can get high and look across an open area prints become more clear.

[Coventry Lee]

I didn't walk a huge distance, a mile or so sticking to footpaths. I'll keep in mind what you've said in future though. I walk around the local countryside often without much success in terms of spotting anything.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Coventry Lee

I walk around the local countryside often without much success in terms of spotting anything.

If you need any advice on getting onto a particular species feel free to PM me or maybe start a thread.