Falls of Clyde Nature Notes

For me this visit from the French truly symbolises the beginning of the season. I know everything has finally kicked off and they always attend the first badger watch of the year.

I desperately wanted them to see badgers; after all they had travelled hundreds of miles to see them!

We sat patiently and quietly for over an hour (I told you I was desperate) at the viewing platform to no avail so we cautiously went back along the blue route trying not to step on unsuspecting twigs.

After some expert badger hunting (also known as stumbling across them in the dark) we managed to spot two!

One ran across the path in front of us, heading out into the field to forage and another was already foraging out in the fields.

Sadly the wind was blowing our scent straight towards the second badger and it quickly lifted its noise into the air catching a whiff of our presence.

After a few moments of hesitation it ran straight under the fence towards us, across the path and down into the woods.

Badgers have paths they will always use to avoid getting lost and to be able to warn other badgers if there is a danger.

For example, if another badger had decided to forage out in the field, the badger we spotted could intercept it and warn it of our presence. It’s a very clever system.

We hold badger watches throughout the year; get in touch for further information.

Next week: Peregrine update.

Laura Whitfield,

Falls of Clyde Ranger.