Wildlife watch Unforgettable sightings of badgers
Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve Ranger assistant ranger intern Lori Moore enjoyed leading members of the public on badger watches at the reserve
Since the beginning of this year’s Badger Watches at the Falls of Clyde, I’ve had the utmost pleasure of leading three.
As an assistant ranger intern, it was such a treat to be given the chance to see these charismatic animals in the wild.
The first Badger Watch led a university group, students who were eager to view a different side of nature. Not one, not two, not three badger groups came into view for them!
They clearly displayed snuffling behaviour, most likely for their favourite food, worms.
On a Luxury Badger Safari, where the visitors were wrapped up warm in blankets, the badgers came even closer than before.
After poking its nose out of the sett, followed by self-grooming with its front claws, a young badger walked directly towards us... and kept on coming!
It came a mere two metres from us before scampering back to the sett. This happened three times, but it never became less exciting.
As if this wasn’t enough, simply listening to the sounds of the forest was a treat. The array of bird song was wonderful, the bees were too, and even the cows in the field played their part!
A Family Badger Watch also took place, with a badger trail leading to the sett, to learn more about the animals.
As we silently sat and waited, three young badgers came out for the evening. Their charisma shone as they played with one another and repeatedly tumbled over.
Later on, it was an adult badger’s turn to have fun as it groomed and scratched a tree.
These have been unforgettable experiences for both myself and the visitors; I implore you to book onto a badger watch at the Falls of Clyde to observe their life in the woodland.
They run every Thursday and Saturday until August. Have a look on www.thefallsofclyde. eventbrite.com for the various badger watch types.