Monday, August 27, 2007

Badger, Badger, Badger...

On Saturday, 25th August 2007, Chris and I attended a 'Badger Day' at Spring Wood in Lancashire. The day consisted of raising our awareness and helping us to find evidence of bager activity.
We apparently arrived too early because I was driving too fast. To waste a little time we went into Whalley to take a passing look at the Abbey and Gate House. Quite impressive and we determined to return sometime in the near future. While waiting for the initial talk and slide-show, we watched squirrels, nuthatches, various tits and other birds on the Spring Wood Bird tables.

The squirrels were, in particular, very amusing. A nuthatch flitted in and out pinching the peanuts but I was unable to capture him or her on the camera.
The talk was interesting but I don't feel I learned a great deal; it covered...
  • a general introduction including the biology, nocturnal lifestyle and 'the social badger',
  • food sources;
  • badger noises;
  • territories;
  • badger paths;
  • setts;
  • hole comparison;
  • scratch marks;
  • foot prints;
  • Latrines, droppings and Urine;
  • Badger Bones;
  • Badger Watching and
  • Badger Sett Recording.
It was then time for a quick snack before setting off for the 'practical' part of the day.
We headed off into Spring Wood. Off the main pathway we were asked to search a particular area and to note what we found.
To cut a long story short, it was a rabbit warren and evidence was discussed providing an overview of what we should have noticed and how we could confirm that it was indeed rabbits!
We then moved on to an active Sett.

Sand had been placed the day before with the hope of getting foot prints. No luck there but, we found badger hair and noted the loose soil and rocks at the mouth of a well worn entrance.
Latrines were also found...

Some of the group then left us while the rest headed off to another wood and a second sett.
Crossing typical badger feeding grounds,

sloping well grazed fields, we entered the second woodland.

Further investigation gave us increased confidence as we correctly identified active and inactive entrances.

One of the highlights was the discovery of a wasps nest that badgers had ripped open in an attempt to eat the grubs.

Repairs were underway, as can be seen from the picture below.
We returned via part of the 'Lancashire Trail', past ruined farms and over fields.

The ranger was pleased that Chris was keen to help them in West Lancashire, an area they had little knowledge of. So armed with 'Sett Initial Visit Record' sheets and 'Guidelines for monitoring badger setts' we set off for home. Chris has to email the badger-group to register 'our' interest. Watch this space.
At home we waited for Sister Lynn, brother-in-law Pete and Father. They were coming to stay for a few days. I'll let Lynn describe the journey in her blogg, as she has first hand experience!
They had to leave the M6, because it had been closed, and there were no signs to help them find their way.

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