One of our members visited our badger hide recently, here’s what he experienced!
It was our first visit to the hide, which we’d heard mentioned so often before. Having had a hectic couple of weeks, Karen and I were both looking forward to one of life’s simple, but frequently overlooked, pleasures – to sit quietly and watch the natural world go about its own business.
Conditions were perfect for spying on a few badgers – dry, cool and, mercifully, no midges! Mick met us, as arranged, and together we crossed Terry’s, now very solid looking, bridge and entered the hide. What a wonderful sight we were confronted with! Instead of the expected grassy field, we had a ringside seat looking out over a secluded wooded valley, full of gentle undulations and paths made by the passing feet of numerous animals. Directly ahead were about ten sett entrances, all teasing us with promises of badgers hidden within. Things were already looking good.
Substantial amounts of nuts were scattered around and we all settled down to wait. It was now around 7.20pm. Forty minutes later, a familiar black and white face materialized in the entrance of a sett, just a few meters from us. Muffled excitement and pointing followed as we waited for the owner to emerge. Mr. Badger, though, must have had other ideas and chose to remain tantalizing just out of sight. Thankfully, any frustration was short-lived for off to our right, and bold-as-brass, another badger was trotting up the path. I’ve only ever seen badgers in the dark, seeing one in the twilight as it cheerfully shuffled along with its large, inquisitive nose sniffing the air, you couldn’t help but grin. This was great.
“Mmm, peanuts,” you could imagine the badger murmuring, as it found a large stash and started to chomp. Another badger presently ambled up and joined its sett-mate. Both were cubs, Mick informed us, pointing out the telltale clear stripes on their faces. Young they may be, but neither cub showed any trepidation as they enthusiastically fed. So relaxed were they that one simply lay on the ground and, in a very laissez-faire manner, clawed the nuts in range of its mouth.
For an hour, we all watched the coming and goings of four or five badgers as they enjoyed the pleasant, spring evening. What a superb viewing and just the required relaxing tonic. As for that first, bashful, badger? Well he did manage to venture just far enough to grab a few mouthfuls of nuts before deciding that, ‘You know what? Maybe I’ll have a little nap,” and retiring once more. Alas, this was also our cue to surreptitiously pack away the binoculars, turn out the lights and creep quietly away from the serene world of Meles meles. To return, I hope, another evening soon.
– D. Coburn
To visit our hide please contact us on our Enquiries line or email hide@lancashirebadgergroup.org.uk