Badgers
The Badgers continue to be our most regular visitors. One night the cub came in first and being the first there fed on what it wanted with no others around to compete with. The cub seemed to have grown up considerably, as its tail, which normally pointed downwards at a vertical angle seemed now to have a gentler one. Another feature of this particular individual, is that it seemed to have a patch of white fur on its nose that looked flatter and whiter than the rest. Although I noticed it earlier, I wasn’t sure if it was a reliable feature of identifying this particular individual but now, I believe it is. Subsequently I pointed out this feature to the guests.
The cub then went away and when it came back, there was another Badger with it that looked to be either a junior male or the alpha female. Then the rest of the family arrived as it got darker and the guests were entertained by the amplified crunching sounds made by the Badgers through our microphones. As one of them was leaving it stood on a section of wall in a rigid posture, as if listening for any signs of danger before walking off. The rest were still feeding, with some licking the peanut butter from the post and tree trunks and stood up as they did so. Then one by one the Badgers started leaving, and towards the end of the evening, one or two more who hadn’t yet been, came to feed before all of them went away.
Pine Martens
The male and female kit are still feeding together, though there was one night that was slightly unusual compared to the others. When I was looking out of the back of the hide for the Scottish Wildcat, I shone my torch into the darkness and to my surprise there was a Pine Marten there. The reason it was a surprise was because you didn’t usually see them in the garden itself. It moved further round and it did eventually come to the platform. There was something off about its appearance, it looked dishevelled and not as lively as you would expect. Normally Pine Martens are sharp and attentive, but this one seemed less so. When I tried to look at its bib for the tell-tale markings that identify each individual, I couldn’t see the bib on this one, though sometimes it would lift its neck for a microsecond and there would appear to be no discernible spot pattern there. Its appearance, lack of a pattern and with seeing it at the back of the hide, it suggested this was a new individual that I’d never seen before.
Scottish Wildcat
The Scottish Wildcat continues to amaze visitors whenever it appears and we’ve some excellent sightings to date. One night it announced itself by causing a Woodpigeon to fly up and with it following just after, presumably trying to catch it, but without success. Then it walked about the hide and was seen and photographed by the guests just below the windowsill, close enough to get good pictures with their phones. Then on another night he came up the slope on the right-hand side and was seen by the guests first. I ushered everyone into the corner and knowing the route it was likely to take, I went to look at the back of the hide. I then called back to the guests, to ask them if it was still there and they said it was initially. Then it moved round the corner and I ushered everybody to the back and the Wildcat passed within feet of the building and could be seen walking off towards the garden, trailing its ring banded tail behind it.
Interestingly enough on the night afterwards, a similar thing happened and again, it was seen by the guests first. I went to the back and when it was coming round the corner, I got everybody towards the back. One guest positioned themselves towards the counter and I felt it wise to call her to the area where the others were in case it didn’t go that way and went down the steps instead, which was something heoften does. It turned out to be a fortuitous decision. Because he came along and as I imagined, went down the steps and disappeared behind the bushes. Everyone managed to see it.
I ncase you are not aware, our local Wildcat is part of the recent reintroduction programme from ‘Saving Wildcats’ and is one of the males who was released in 2023.
Other Wildlife
One recent change that has happened at the hide is that some of the branches have been cut back giving visitors a clearer view of the fields in front of the hide. In the past, whenever deer were seen, it could be a challenge to get everyone onto them especially if they were well camouflaged or moving quickly. With the branches cut back this is now easier. One such night that proved how much easier it was, was when a female Red Deer was seen walking across the field. It looked very large, even with the naked eye it was very obvious. On another night, whilst it was getting dark, two female Red Deer were seen grazing at the fence line and a Roe Deer was seen closer to us. It proved a challenge to see at times because of the light disappearing and when it stopped and wasn’t facing us, it blended in really well, though this view was now considerably easier to get with the branches cut back.
Woodmice, Woodpigeons and Blackbirds have continued to visit the hide whilst it’s still light to eat the bait intended for the Badgers and Pine Martens.
If you would like to visit our Evening Wildlife Watching Hide go to: http://bit.ly/sw_EWW to book your place.
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