Date: 3 and 10 September 2026
Location: Badger hide
Activity: Supporting evening badger watches
Species Encountered: European Badger (Meles meles), deer (species unconfirmed), Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and bat (species unconfirmed)

I attended the badger hide as a support member on 3 and 10 September, and both evenings were great experiences. Returning to the hide has given me the opportunity to become more familiar with the badgers’ routines, while also enjoying the other wildlife that appears around them.

On both visits, the early badger arrived on time as usual. This made getting into the hide a little tricky, as we needed to be careful not to startle it. It was a reminder that watching wildlife begins before you are settled in the hide, and that approaching quietly is just as important as keeping still once inside. At around 8:15 pm, three badgers appeared again, giving us another lovely opportunity to watch them.

The evening of 10 September was particularly special. A deer wandered near the open area, and I wondered whether it had been attracted by the peanuts. It was very alert to sounds, and the noise of the cameras inside the hide appeared to startle it and cause it to move away. This stood out as a reminder of how even small sounds from observers can affect the animals we are watching.

I also spotted the little wood mouse again, as well as a robin and a bat. These additional sightings made the experience even more enjoyable. Although the badgers were the main focus, it was lovely to notice the smaller visitors too and appreciate the variety of wildlife around the hide.

Photographs