The lighter nights mean that now is the optimum time for watching badgers in the wild. I've a wonderful little sett that is nice and quiet and home to four lively badgers. There is nothing more magical than sitting by a sett, waiting for that first glimpse of a badger nose sniffing the air.
Badger (Meles meles)
Badger watching requires lots of patience. Sometimes you are lucky and sometimes you are not. However, as the nights grow shorter, Badgers have to leave the sett before sunset in order to have enough time to forage. This greatly increases the chances of being able to watch them. There's been nights where I've not know where to look as there is so much activity - and others where I've left with only a fleeting glimpse of one before it's disappeared back underground.
If you are interested in watching badgers in the wild then the first thing you need to do is locate a suitable sett. This is easier said that done as many setts are in hard to reach places, tucked under hedgerows or surrounded by vegetation. It took me two years to locate this one sett that was suitable for both observing the badgers and for photographing them. I often get jealous of all the badgers amongst the bluebell photos that I see online as this one has nothing like that at all. However, it is natural. It's where the badgers have chosen to live and so that is good enough for me. It's also perfect as I can get a good view of the sett without disturbing the badgers - this is the most important thing. I urge everyone to spend some time watching badgers in the wild - but this should ALWAYS be done with the welfare of the badger topmost in our minds. If our being there is causing disruption to their normal routine or is causing them distress in any way, no matter how much WE are enjoying it we must leave them alone.
Badger-7775
Visiting the sett in advance of any badger watching is also important. Remember that you will be leaving the sett once it is dark. You have found a route in while it is light, but can you leave the sett safely without injuring yourself or disturbing the badgers? Explore where you will sit. This should ideally be down-wind of any sett and so that may change from night to night. Find a couple of places where you can sit comfortably, against a tree or something else that will break up your outline.
Make sure you are comfortable. Ideally you need to be at the sett at least 1 1/2 hours before sunset and the ground wont be a comfortable sofa. Take a blanket to sit on and position yourself in a way that you won't be tempted to fidget. If you're not comfortable then you may be tempted to leave early and miss out on something spectacular.
Other things to keep in mind when out badger watching is to wear dark clothing that doesn't rustle or make a noise. Remember also that while it may be a beautiful, warm summer evening when you arrive, once the sun sets the temperature will drop and so warm clothing is important too. Avoid strong scents. A badger's sense of smell is approximately 800 times better than ours and so if they smell something unusual in the environment they are unlikely to appear.
And finally HAVE PATIENCE. You may not see anything on your first visit - or the second, or the third - but trust me, there is nothing more special than seeing your first badger as it leaves its sett. The experience will literally take your breath away.
And now I am signing off - time to head up to the badger sett!
