Selby and Goole Badger Watch - telephone us on 0771 1883072
BADGER WATCHING -
OUR 12 TOP TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL BADGER WATCH
It's so exciting when you discover an active badger sett !
Badger watching really is most rewarding, but it takes a fair bit of patience, self discipline and skill (plus a pinch of good luck).
Moving twigs and crackly leaves prior to your badger watch will help you approach the sett quietly.
Finding a tree which will break up your outline also helps.
So remember, NO perfume, aftershave or midgy repellent, no crinkly, crackly clothing, no food except peanuts for the badgers.
No talking and put your phone on silent.
As you may be sitting in one place for a long time, it's best to get comfy !
Oh and always make sure you have permission from the landowner to actually be on the land (if applicable)
SO HERE'S OUR TOP DOZEN TIPS TO ENSURE YOU HAVE A SUCCESSFUL BADGER WATCH
TIP NO. 1 - IT'S TIME TO GO
In the height of Summer, badgers can be out of the sett before dusk, so getting there early is quite important. As you approach the sett, pause for a while and listen. The cubs may already be out and playing around the sett. What a lovely sound (and sight) that is ! Please do not frighten the badgers, always approach and leave the sett as quietly as you can.
If you can go earlier in the day prior to your watch, you can scatter a few peanuts around, but try to hide them as the Jays and squirrels will take them. Hiding the peanuts under a stone may prevent them being eaten by other forest dwellers and the badgers will still be able to smell the peanuts regardless of where they are hidden. Try not to walk too near the entrances or on badger pathways as it could take hours for your smell to disappear and as we know, a badger's sense of smell is 800 times better than ours!
TIP: When you hear a blackbird's shrill alarm call - you know badgers are about. Get ready !!
TIP NO. 2 - CLEAR THE WAY BEFOREHAND
It's a good idea to visit the sett in daylight, prior to your actual badger watch. That way, you can time how long it takes you to get to the location and then walk to the sett.
Removing fallen twigs and crackly leaves beforehand can help make your arrival to the sett a silent one, thus avoiding frightening the badgers.
TIP NO. 3 - TAKE A TORCH
Remember it will probably be dark when your badger watch concludes. So please take a torch but do not shine the torch at the badgers. Binoculars will help you see the badgers if you are some distance from the sett, so it's worthwhile popping them into your rucksak. If you are taking your camera, other than a phone camera, a tripod will be needed to avoid camera shake and blurred images.
TIP NO. 4 - DONT BE SMELLY !
Badgers have an excellent sense of smell, so please avoid wearing perfumes, after shave, deodrant or midge repellent. If the badgers get a whiff of you, they won't emerge and it will be an unsuccessful and disappointing badger watch.
Also, if you intend to be a regular at this badger sett, wearing the same clothes/fleece jacket at each watch will help.
TIP NO. 5 - KEEP CHECKING THE WIND DIRECTION
Even on the stillest night, there is always a slight breeze which will carry your scent into the badger sett. It is important that you check the wind direction before you settle down to watch badgers. Take a piece of string, or cloth or anything which will show you which way the wind is blowing. Always face into the wind and check the direction regularly as it can change over the course of the evening.
TIP NO. 6- TAKE A COMPASS
A compass is very useful to help you determine where you should sit. If the wind is coming from the West and blowing straight into the badger sett entrance - then position yourself to the East. Most modern mobile phones have a compass in the Utility App, if not, then one can be purchased quite cheaply off the likes of Ebay. But they do help you to get in the right position with the wind in your face and blowing away from the sett. A successful badger watch is when the badgers don't know you are there and are totally unaware of your presence.
Tip: Keep the compass away from other electronic gear as it can give a false reading.
IS ANYBODY THERE? The first thing a badger does when he emerges, is sniff the air. He will do this several times to check it is safe and only when he is satisfied it is safe to emerge, will he leave his sett.
TIP NO. 7 - WEAR DARK CLOTHES
Wear dark clothes and clothes which don't rustle. A fleece jacket is ideal and will also offer some protection from the pesky mosquitoes.
Carry a little rucksak or bumbag to keep all your bits and pieces in, car keys, torch, phone etc.
Tip No. 8 - HIDE YOUR OUTLINE
Find a tree to stand behind to break up your outline. Although badgers have relatively poor eyesight, they can make out shapes and if they see something which is there now and wasn't before, they will be suspicious and will dash back down into their sett.
TIP NO. 9 - MOBILE PHONES
Don't get distracted by playing on your phone. The badgers can emerge just when you've given up hope. Use your phone's app to check the wind direction and what time the sun is setting. But please switch your phone to SILENT.
If your phone does ring whilst you are badger watching prepare yourself for a long wait before they emerge again.
That said, always take your mobile phone with you for safety. If you should trip or fall, then a mobile phone, with plenty of charge could be a life saver.
TIP NO. 10 - FEEDING PEANUTS
A few peanuts scattered about on the ground will keep the badgers busy for a few minutes before they go off foraging for the night.
Anything that is portable, like a biscuit, they will run off with and take down the sett, so a few peanuts maybe mixed with a little marmite or peanut butter is probably the best food to take with you.
TIP NO. 11 - GET COMFORTABLE
Badger watching takes a lot of patience ! Sometimes you can be sat there for hours and the badgers don't emerge. Often you will be sat in woodland or on a hillside and the best thing you can do is get comfortable. One of those kneeling pads used for gardening is very useful, light and reasonably small to carry.
Also in woodland, it can get very midgy and you will be bitten to death and as you can't wear any spray, purchasing some mosquito netting (like going to Scotland in Summer) may prevent you getting hundreds of bites (been there done that !)
TIP NO. 12 - LEAVE AS QUIETLY AS YOU ARRIVED
Once the badgers leave the area to go off foraging, then it's also time for you to leave. Never frighten the badgers with noise or sudden movements. Once the badgers have trotted off, quietly gather your things, have a quick check round to make sure you haven't left anything behind, then make your way out of the forest having had a wonderful, magical night watching badgers. And the question you will be asking yourself is "when can we do it again? "
A badger boar, the daddy, emerges from his sett then flops down and watches his young cubs at play. When a wild animal, especially a badger with their excellent sense of smell and hearing, just flops down and relaxes in front of you, you know that you are badger watching in a responsible and ethical manner - he's totally at ease and has no idea you are there ! That's what you call a successful badger watch !
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