As part of work started within our E-Newsletter, we’re getting in touch with our local branches throughout the year and bringing your badger updates from across Scotland! This week we’re travelling down to the Borders where Lisa McLeish had this update for us:
“The first few months of 2022 have been really exciting for the branch. Although our first two surveys of the year were cancelled due to bad weather, we’ve still had plenty going on to keep us busy.
In early February I was contacted by a local TV show called ‘Border Life’. They had found us on social media and were keen to do a piece on Scottish Badgers and the branch. Fast forward a couple of weeks, on a cold February morning, and we’re standing on the banks of the River Tweed giving an interview all about badgers and what we hope to achieve with the branch. Eddie Palmer very kindly agreed to be the Scottish Badger representative for the interview and spoke about the brilliant work the charity does to help badgers in Scotland.
The episode is still to air, but a link will be put on our facebook and twitter pages as soon as it does so that those of you outwith the region can view it if you wish.
Further excitement came a few days later, when we checked the trail cameras that are being used to monitor a wildlife underpass. We were delighted to capture a sow moving a tiny cub. What was most interesting was the fact that she had brought the young badger through the tunnel from one sett to another several hundred meters away.
And that’s not the only cub of the season. On the 24th of April we were delighted to discover that one of the other badgers we have been monitoring had become a proud mum to two cubs. That moment when you first spot the little heads poking out the sett entrance is truly magical and we’re looking forward to seeing their first proper steps out of the sett.
Sadly, It’s not always good news that we receive. Andy, one of our volunteers, came across a very sad sight when out looking for setts. Unfortunately, someone had decided that lighting a fire on top of a sett entrance would be a fun thing to do. Photos were taken and details sent to the police, who did go out and investigate. Sadly we were uncertain about whether it was active or not and there was little to no evidence left at the scene. We can only hope that if there were any badgers in there that they made it out safely. It just shows how important it is to send in the location of any sett you know – it may just help protect it.
To end on a happier note, we’re all looking forward to Scottish Badger Week and to getting out and promoting Scottish Badgers at various events throughout the summer. And, with the light nights and warmer weather, there’s always time to spend watching some of our very own border’s badgers at their setts.
To keep up to date with news and videos from the branch, follow us on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/scottishbadgersbordersbranch) and twitter @BordersBadgers”
Scottish Badgers 