h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi, Fb, nice of you to drop into my journal thread.

Smurfles has gone to Orlando, Florida and by the sound of it Hurricane Rita has just given it a bit of rough stuff, though it sounds as if the Florida Keys had the worst. I don't envy Texas etc. Those poor souls from NO are having to move AGAIN!!

My friend in Western Australia sends me leaflets and maps of where she has been (she travels a fair bit) but lives in August Margaret River. The wildlife, and especially the birds are so different from ours, and so exotic. You can keep the snakes though!

We can't decide whether our badgers are brother and sister, mother and son, father and son etc....... Certainly the confident one has no intention of allowing the shy one any food unless it comes and helps itself! So funny last night to watch both together Even experts can't always tell the males from the females so they could both be girls Apparently the males have broader faces, and one certainly looks that way.

I'll pop out and ask them tonight - politely of course - "Hey, brock, you a boy or a girl"<laugh The rear view when they shuffle off always looks as if they are miffed about something!!!! They look and behave just like Canadian bears only smaller - thank

I am trying to organise a little something to send you but the way things are going it might take a while - Xmas maybe No I don't think it will be that long, but I haven't forgotten you.



Websailor

Kaz, there are things called web crawlers or somesuch that crawl all over the Net picking up email addresses. It seems they latch on to the @ which is where a lot of the Spam comes from. As I get more than my fair share I try not to give out an email address in that form.

I am sure some of the computer literate and internet experts reading this will have something to say on the subject. I also clear my cookies daily, as I don't like my surfing being tracked either. The only cookies that stay are the ones that keep me in touch with my favourite sites. Anything else gets binned double quick!

Thanks for yours anyway

Websailor

Yea! I run Ad-aware every night before I log off and that gets rid of all the trackers and the like. Then once a week I run Ccleaner to clear my disc, that seems to do the trick
You can also clear cookies form Internet Options in your control panel, its on the General Page
Smudger,

Smudger, dude

Well, you are well equipped and thanks for backing me up. It is a slightly different way for me 'cus I have a Mac, but you are spot on. It is surprising how many people don't even know about Cookies

Have you tried mailing me yet? I do hope you will.


Websailor

I know their fattening(cookies that is).
Spyware blaster is a free one as well and that stops loads from coming on

I know all about cookies and we use various clearing software for those and viruses. I do not get any spam to that address, thats all, so I don't have to worry. Fair enough if you do get spam, then you have to get strict, cause spam can be very tiring and offensive.

Yea! there are plenty free programs you can down load these days that can stop all this hacking, but the thing is, you must keep them updated or they are useless
Hi WS, the Email addy I use on line is gramdia?hotmail.com, of course you will know what the ? stands for
Make sure you mark it with WS or it will end up getting zapped by by junk mail filter

Ive been busy today, now paying the price for it
we got stuck in a traffic jam today for an hour??, due to a lorry hitting a round a bout
Mind you, we sat back and played our favourite CDs which I had made on this computer
Smudger,

Back to badgers and wildlife

Last night turned out to be very entertaining. A large dog fox turned up and sampled the goodies on the table, but something disturbed him and he shot off. Minutes later the disturbance appeared in the shape of the badger.

He started to feed at the table having tipped the top off, as per usual, when he was accosted by a dog fox accompanied by a vixen. Mr. Fox drew himself up to full height with back arched, while Mrs. Fox looked on(as they do).

Mr. Brock turned round, stood on hind legs and lunged at the fox, who quickly did a runner, along with his missis! Both foxes hovered in the background, a ghostly wandered through, an owl hooted, a barked and badger continued to feed. Having cleared the table he came up to the patio, shifted the plastic cover and the roof slate and again scoffed away.

In the meantime Mr. & Mrs. Fox were ranging over the whole garden picking up the odd peanut, raisin, worm etc. in the process. Mr. Brock treated them with contempt, turning his back on them and demolishing the contents of the dish. Now, normally he leaves a small amount, which he picks up in the early hours on his way back home, after exploring his patch.

NOT this time No way was he going to leave anything for the foxes, the cat, the woodmouse, hedgehog or anything else that happened by.

When he finished he turned to go down the garden, and the foxes, spooked by this mini-bear, leapt over the fence(only about 4ft high) in to the next garden. This had all taken nearly an hour and we were exhausted, staring in to the gloom, but they seemed to have retired for the night, so we did

All our neighbours seemed to be out, being Friday night, which is why we had such activity - early too, at 9.40pm. I heard fireworks earlier, and I am wondering what will happen when they start in earnest.

It has been lier than usual this last week with a casting deep shadows across the lawn in stripes between the trees. I put the food out just as it gets dark but I am not sure I would venture out when it is really dark. I am not sure what I might encounter

On thing that amused me the other evening. My neighbour always has lots of children around her, and she was calling one little one in to the house, saying "Come in in now, it will be getting dark soon" to which the little one replied" Oooh! Yes, ' cus come out when it's dark!"

IF ONLY THEY KNEW!

everyone,

Websailor

What a treat And to think that your neighbours probably have lots happening in their garden too, but don't have the eyes to see it.

What about getting an image intensifier Websailor? Then you could see everything without straining your eyes You can get ones that download directly onto pcs/laptops now, so that more than one of you can watch what's going on. Mind you, they probably cost an arm and a leg. Cheaper to get two conventional ones

You lucky thing to be seeing foxes and badgers interacting Not many people have the opportunity to see it for real.

Fb,

I have been looking into night vision scopes and things. My computer is too old to cope with some of the modern techy stuff, as is our TV, though the latter could soon change.

The obstacle as you rightly said is the arm and a leg thing. Our birthdays have been taken care of this year but there is always Christmas I am determined to do something about it though, 'cus my eyes are looking with a vengeance!

We do feel lucky. I checked out neighbours lawn this morning (they are away) to see if there was any evidence of brock there, but they seem to be exclusive to us at the moment. I am sure someone would have said something if they were puzzled or had seen something. Then again, I haven't, have I?


Websailor

Websailor: Have you thought about contacting either English Nature, or Universities with Ecology/Environmental Science Depts? They will be updating their image intensifiers pretty regularly and the old ones must go somewhere

Actually, I'm sure that your local EN/Uni would be delighted to know about the wildlife in your back garden.

Come to think of it, the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol might be interested too. They always like to hear about places that are easy to film My bro has red squirrels running around outside his kitchen window and has hosted the BBC several times - for a small fee

Hi there Web Sailor

Have just spent most of the last two days reading this thread; which I came upon by accident (left you a message on your P/S) - it has to be THE MOST BRILLIANT thread I've come across since joining, quite a while ago now!! You should consider compiling all your own entries and putting them into a diary for the Edited Guide - bound to be a winner.

Would be delighted to see some pikkies when you get them. I have a family of foxes who have been visiting me for about three years now - they keep returning with subsequent cubs, so the odds are that the badgers should do the same, they are very territorial creatures aren't they.

I hope to keep in constant touch now that I am up to speed with happenings, its been really rivetting so far and I look forward to loads more of the story.

Bye the way, where can I get hold of the urban fox book?

Fb, thanks for all the ideas, but impatience got the better of us. We are now short of an arm and a leg +

The scope came today and I have tried it out briefly tonight and it is brilliant. I expect we shall be fighting over it, so another one might make a joint Xmas present (perhaps with help from our boys!!)

We were advised not to get a second hand scope, but that's by the by. I shall keep your ideas in mind for future things. We really wanted a camera linked to the TV and video, but our old equipment wouldn't stand the strain. Besides, apart from being more comfortable, it would be like watching TV instead of the real thing. The scope can be used upstairs too which is handy.

I think the Beeb would find our house and garden extemely difficult to film in because of it's location and our windows! I have had our sightings put on the local ECOrecord though, and I am in touch with badger people.

More tomorrow. Haven't written up last night's antics yet

Probably have to run in a minute, if we get viisitors

Websailor

scorpio_witch ,

thank you so much for your kind words. I am so glad you have enjoyed it. It gives me so much pleasure to share it with like minded people. It is not something I make public locally, and some friends just wouldn't understand.

Our paths haven't crossed before, but I shall look forward to visiting your PS etc. when my hectic nocturnal lifestyle allows

Pikkies not available at present. My son is so busy and stressed I daren't ask him if he has done the photos Hopefully some will materialise at some stage.

I will have to think about the Edited Guide bit. I haven't done one yet - too chicken I guess, and not enough time. I think you are right, that the badgers will return next year. They certainly appreciate the food I put out.

Re. the Urban Fox book, it seems to be in most wildlife catalogues, CJ Wildbird Foods, Fox Welfare Society, and various others., and will probably be on their websites. I will check it out and let you know. It is probably available through Amazon too.

LAST NIGHT

Howling gale with things flying around everywhere. The foxes were playing around in the garden for a couple of hours, and pinching bits of food, tipping the table over in the process.

Brock didn't appear at his usual time, and is not usually put off by the foxes. A cat sat on the wall watching the fox antics with disdain. We decided that Brock had lost his watch or it had stopped then we realised that there had been no trains on our line all day.

Because of vandalism on signalling cables (all burnt) which had affected a number of lines in our area, nothing was running and we had noticed that he always came between trains so "White Rabbit" had lost his timekeeper

He eventually arrived just after my other half had given up and gone to bed (well that's what he was supposed to do) but he was watching from upstairs Can't sleep till he's seen him!!!

He scoffed all the food(the badger that is) off the table, with a fox's nose up his rear end all the time and chased them off. Then he came up to the patio and scoffed the dish full of food like there was no tomorrow. Actually, as well as a howling gale, it started to pour with rain, and I think he just wanted to get back in his sett in the warm and dry.

As I mentioned in my post to Frenchbean, our Scope came this morning and I had been dying to try it out. Have done so, and it is brilliant, but guess what

The little s still haven't appeared and it is 9.26pm I shall have to be careful the neighbours don't think we are spying on them. Mind, I did wonder why they have all put net curtains up at the windows

At least I haven't been plagued by slugs as much lately. The Nematodes I bought seem to have had some effect

Anyway I am going to sign off now scorpio_witch and anyone else who might be reading this, or I shall miss all the action - if there is any

Actually I could quite do with one. *Goes to raid fridge* - Now - is that one fox or two? Or maybe three badgers - or a Mmm, strong stuff this

for now, whoops

Oooh, I'm on tenterhooks. Are the brocks there or not? *Sends badgery thoughts to websailor's garden*

Morning WS

I'm sure we all look out for the additions to this thread with as much excitement as you look out of your bedroom window.

I've got the CJ book somewhere and will look on the Fox Welfare Society site in a minute - thanks for the info.

Saw the article about the vandalism on the tv - its a pity these people have nothing better to do!

Await next report with great anticipation.

Hi, Everyone,

Just a quick note. He came last night and polished everything off asap. No sign of the foxes - perhaps they don't like the rain! Scope was brilliant, such a clear view.

It is pouring with rain and very blustery tonight we I really don't know what to expect. I have a meeting at home tonight, so will be busy but other half has promised to keep a look out for us, so I will report later, or first thing.

Hope he doesn't mind soggy food. One lot will get wet, but the big dish should stay dry. I hope he comes so my colleague can see him - I am not sure she believes me as yet

Better Speak later, if our meeting finishes in time and the badger doesn't keep us waiting. The trains are running a skeleton service, so I hope he has his watch handy


Websailor

if you do egg, bacon 'n' chips, I'm coming through the hedge

Hello Animal, I wondered where you had got to! Hope you are

Oh, I see you've been hiding in the hedge, have you? So when I next use the NV scope and something and wonderful appears in my sights, it might be you I think I draw the line at eggs and bacon - I don't want poorly badgers, though I understand they do eat eggs. I wouldn't risk chickens eggs though, the way most of them are produced these days

NIGHT BEFORE LAST

The shy badger came earlier and polished off the contents of the table, but wouldn't venture "up top". Confident badger came very late (he has definitely lost his timekeeper!) and looked disgusted to find the first course gone My human visitor had hoped to see him, but couldn't stay late enough

He moseyed(sp) round digging up worms and eating peanuts and raisins, then came and quickly demolished the contents of the dish. The fox(vixen) had been mooching around, and sniffed the dish, so we clicked the window and it ran a few paces, then stopped and looked "daggers" at the window. After about three attempts at shooing her off, she finally got the message and slunk off in a sulk!

Badgers have poor eyesight so don't see us at the window but the foxes clearly do. We shall have to keep an eye on them, as I don't want to encourage them too much, and anyway I can't afford to feed them as well

LAST NIGHT

Using a cope means I have to keep my left eye shut tight, while looking through it with my right. It doesn't really lend itself to be used with the other eye. Constant squinting is very tiring, so yesterday I popped into a well known chemist chain and bought two black eye patches This means the view to my left eye is blocked but I don't have to shut it, and hubbie likewise.

The only problem is, if we get unexpected human visitors in the evening, they will be greeted by two pirate> Oh, well, "Heave Ho! me hearties" 'cus the wild visitors are much more interesting anyway

The foxes and s were pacing around, a bit like "HIgh Noon" , and the fox eventually got some of food from the table. Big badger came and spent quite a while at the dish. I put more in there and less on the table this time, but I think I might have to resort to a couple of bricks on top if the foxes take too much interest

During the day we have been watching one of the many cats flying out of trees and chasing squirrels round the lawn and up and over the fences with great amusement. While they are doing that they are leaving the birds alone but I am not sure the neighbours will be delighted as the fence panels break down

Between the , the squirrels and the foxes, they will be wishing they hadn't taken out all the hedges in days gone by, and put fences in. With all the windy weather we get now, plus these little varmints, panels don't last long

We are finding it easier on the eyes watching with the scope, and their antics are different every night. This morning, even more small holes in the lawn -oh, well it is good aeration

It is blowing a gale here tonight, and pouring with rain, but it is very mild. The various wind chimes in the gardens are making delicate The trains are still not running to timetable, and we are convinced it is disorientating the badgers.

They are creatures of habit, and don't like change. The foxes are coming earlier too, and are very frisky. We have only seen two, though there were about four. Perhaps the young ones have moved on.

The fox is here, I'm told, and he will get a drink as well as food as the small bird table is full of water Can't think of a way of covering it, unless I use a dustbin lid

I am going to pop off and play for an hour or two, as I am told Brock's here NOW



Websailor

TONIGHT(Fri.)

Well the last post was at about 9.20pm! It is now 10.12pm and they have all gone. Home to a dry place if they have any sense. Two foxes and Mr. Badger in the garden at the same time. Badger has clearly realised that if he doesn't get a wriggle on, his food will be gone

He waited at the bottom of the garden, watching the foxes as they tentatively sniffed at the table, then he STRUCK One fox shot up over the fence in to next door's garden, and the other cowered at the side of the garden, frightened to pass brock

He waited till brock reached the table then scarpered, never to be seen again Brock ate all the food(not pies), having tipped the top off and drained the water (not daft is he?) then cleaned up after himself (he's very houseproud too!! - a She perhaps!!). Then he meandered up to the patio, hoovering up peanuts and raisins on the way. He climbed the step ("oh, my legs, this step is high!") and we could see him sniffing the air, and listening intently. Next door come out sometimes to feed their rabbit - I hope he doesn't have designs in that department

He lifted the half slate off with one foot(paw?) nosed the yellow plastic plate off, tipped the enamel dish up a bit to slide the other half of the slate off, and tucked in. Well, we are not going to make him lazy are we He has to give us some entertainment for his supper - well, he can't sing can he?

He never leaves more than two or three tiny bits, which he probably can't pick up, and if he spills any, he cleans that up too. I know they always say badgers are clean about their setts- cleaning the bedding out and bringing fresh in, but I really do appreciate how clean and tidy he is around our garden, apart from the holes

He hasn't dug himself a latrine and doesn't leave any deposits, and he doesn't smell Apparently they give off a faint musk smell which is quite pleasant but I haven't noticed it. Unlike the foxes who occasionally leave their calling cards, and a pungent odour every time they visit

I really do wish we could tell if our badgers are male, female or nearly full grown cubs, but apparently even the experts can't always tell, unless they see them at the sett. Perhaps we shall be enlightened in the Spring

I have a "virtual" friend on another website, who has badgers in her garden, and her friend also down the road. She is delighted with them, her friend is not quite so enamoured, as they have tipped her flower tubs over, eaten bulbs etc. Perhaps she doesn't feed them enough Another "virtual" friend, has all the signs in her garden and her hubbie is very upset at the state of his prized lawn. We are waiting to see if they can identify the culprits

They would have to be really destructive I think before I would try to give them their marching orders. They give so much pleasure. I also think with badgers and foxes around there are likely to be fewer rats around (I hope).

Anyway, as badger and foxes are away to their beds early tonight, I think we shall do the same. Very tiring this business.

Goodnight all,

Websailor