Morag Boyd of Scottish Badgers came through from Fife to train a group of volunteers in how to survey the countryside for badgers. We gathered in the Glenan carpark – about ten of us from Tighnabruaich, Strachur, Dunoon and even one from South Glasgow. Setting off up the track we very soon found a couple of badger paths crossing over – wear lines in the dense vegetation of the verge.
More signs followed as we headed off the track; we were briefly distracted by various butterflies, orchids, some frog and toadlets and a slow worm. But everyone quietened down and focussed up as we entered into the woods. Snuffle holes and tracks appeared in greater concentration. Then slipping getween two wind-thrown larches, we were there; standing right on top of the sett. It was high on a sandy river bank, surrounded by alders and with a dense screen of wind-thrown larches behind.
We were introduced to procedures for assessing and recording setts, and split up to search for signs independently. There was excitement whenever someone found their first badger hair – such a useful thing to be able to spot and recognise in the field.
[Blog entry submitted by Ben Mitchell]
