Finally Proof That We Have Badgers!
We have suspected for months that we have had a Badger coming into our garden and using a flower bed as a toilet, but up to the other night we haven't been able to see actually proof. Now, thanks to our new wildlife camera we know for sure!
Googling for the description of the holes that have been dug all over a flower bed at the side of the house, which are about 6 inches across and 6 inches deep, with a large "poop" in the bottom, we were almost certain that the culprit was a Badger, but without a window that looked out onto that part of the garden, and not knowing what time the holes were dug, finding proof has been pretty difficult.
However, my birthday present arrived early, a wildlife camera, and we both decided that it would be a shame to wait a couple of weeks to use it. So, we set it up in the garden and went to bed, wondering what we would find in the morning.
I quite expected to find either nothing at all on the memory card, or lots of clips where the camera was triggered by leaves or branches moving, but to our surprise we had 10 sets of photos and videos, and FINALLY the proof that we had waited months for, Mr Badger!
The camera wasn't positioned very well, and so the 5 minutes of video that showed the badger eating the peanuts that we left out mostly just show the top of his back, but we did get one good clip of him having finished feeding and walking around the flower bed, digging a hole to use for his toilet.
CLICK HERE to see our Badger.
We didn't get anything the following night, except the local cats creeping through the garden and using it as a toilet as well, but hopefully tonight we will see something more of interest. The camera is now better positioned as well, so wish us luck.
Image Credit » Copyright Tony Payne 2014
Comments
Feisty56 wrote on September 28, 2014, 5:27 PM
Oh, I've never seen a badger before and hope never to see one in my yard.
BarbRad wrote on September 28, 2014, 6:10 PM
I think you will really enjoy having that camera to see who's up to what in your back yard. Quite interesting.
poddys wrote on September 29, 2014, 2:05 AM
This is the first one we have seen, ever! Before this it was just a 95% chance it was badgers coming in, but now we know for sure.
Hoping for lots more great video in the coming weeks and months. I was amazed we got this on the first night.
poddys wrote on September 29, 2014, 2:07 AM
It's something we have wanted for a while, because trying to photograph a fox while the security lights are on from inside the house is almost impossible, and we never did manage to see the badger. This gives us something to look forward to each day, if only to see what's been in the garden.
LarrySells wrote on September 29, 2014, 2:40 AM
That's pretty cool. You got him. What's next that funny squirrel or that bear. Do you have Big Foot over in England?
I'm excited for your next victim.
suffolkjason wrote on September 29, 2014, 6:41 AM
Interesting shots- now we know the answers to the question: Do Badgers Sh** In Poddys' Garden?
poddys wrote on September 29, 2014, 8:50 AM
We were really surprised with that first night of videos. The first set was of us setting up the camera, then a couple of a cat, then the fox, and finally BINGO the badger! I can't wait to get home tonight to see what we recorded last night, I didn't have time when I got up to unload the camera.
poddys wrote on September 29, 2014, 8:53 AM
Yes we do! And while we don't mind the badgers and foxes doing it, we do object to the cats!
LoudMan wrote on September 29, 2014, 11:21 AM
I bet your camera proves to be a lot of fun. Be careful with badgers. They're fierce.
poddys wrote on September 29, 2014, 2:06 PM
So I hear. I doubt that I'm going to be out in the garden at 2am though, so chances are only the camera will see them.
When I lived in Indiana I got up at 5:30am a couple of mornings to chase off the raccoons who liked to nest in the house. When the flashlight beam hot them they froze, and when I started to wave and ran towards them (from 6 feet away) they legged it fast.
AliCanary wrote on September 29, 2014, 6:20 PM
I think a wildlife camera was a perfect present, although finding out that every creature in the neighborhood poops in your garden was maybe less heartening.
Ellis wrote on September 29, 2014, 6:29 PM
Badgers have crap eyesight but a very keen sense of smell...stay downwind and they'll walk right up to you before they notice you...
poddys wrote on September 30, 2014, 7:38 AM
It was lovely to see the fox and badger, still waiting to get pictures of the hedgehog (only seen him twice earlier this year).
Would love to get rid of the cats though. We have tried a lot of things. My next plan is "tank traps"! I am trying to find some used plastic mats like you use in offices that have sharp spikes underneath. I think that using these upside down where the cats like to jump on the garage roof etc might work. Tried anti-cat plants, lemon, dried lion scent, everything. Even tried sonic deterrents. Nothing works. Cats are just pure evil.
poddys wrote on September 30, 2014, 7:39 AM
That sounds good. It would be cool to get close to a badger, but what might it do when it does smell me?
Ellis wrote on September 30, 2014, 8:12 AM
Normally they just freeze startled for a second and then run in the opposite direction...they are quite timid..
AliCanary wrote on September 30, 2014, 7:08 PM
Oh, noooo. Cats are so sweet! I wish people would keep them inside, though. Why are you so much more upset about the cats? They don't dig holes like dogs and badgers and they will kill vermin in your garden, like voles and things, that destroy your plants. That's what the fox is hunting, too.
poddys wrote on October 2, 2014, 9:11 AM
Should be fun to watch. 2 nights ago we had one fox chase another off in the garden, but I have been too busy to edit and upload the video yet.
paigea wrote on October 5, 2014, 4:48 PM
That is great footage. We have a badger in a field nearby. I've seen it once, my husband has seen it a few times.
Ruby3881 wrote on October 23, 2014, 9:38 AM
I think it's very interesting that there are cameras just for filming wildlife! I hope you'll have fum filming the welcome visitors too :)
VinceSummers wrote on December 15, 2014, 12:10 PM
That's cool, and reminds me of the old literature classic, Wind in the Willows. British, natch. We don't have those here, but we do have possums, racoons, groundhogs, and skunks.
peachpurple wrote on January 14, 2015, 12:55 AM
using the camera is a clever way to track down the badger movements
Nancee14 wrote on March 8, 2015, 3:56 PM
Wow. That looks like a full grown badger. I've never seen one of them up close before. It was good that you installed a camera to catch this great footage of it. We don't see many of these creatures in this part of the world. But I have seen foxes, gophers, and possums more often. And of course, squirrels.