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

Right - badger update: there's actually been quite a lot of badger activity in the last few days, but I didn't post because I thought everyone might be getting a bit bored of badgers. Hellie said not, so here we go

Last night, all four were out on the lawn, again playing Bite-Bot. Or at least the three young ones were playing: what I take to be the mother badger, although she isn't noticeably larger than the three others, is nevertheless much more cautious. I actually used a torch this time and it didn't seem to bother them at all (at one point, two of them froze as if they were aware there was something a bit odd going on - "What? Who? Us? Not us mister - you ain't seen us, right?" - but they got straight back to playing after a few seconds). Had a fantastic view as a result - badgers bounce when they're having fun!

However, earlier this evening, there was definitely a bit more caution: this was the first time I'd seen them when it was still light enough not to need torches or anything else. They were crossing from one border of the garden to the other - I was alerted by more yelping (half monkey, half small dog) - in order to do which they had to go right across the lawn; but, perhaps because it was still light, they went one at a time, the mother badger first, then each of the younger ones separately (she ran across, but they didn't, or not until she yelped at them to hurry up anyway). It was just like the scene in 'The Great Escape' where the tunnel has come up short of the trees and they have to dash across the space at intervals (mother badger as Steve McQueen then - I was expecting the last badger to be carrying an overly large badger suitcase which he could then trip over, so alerting the guards - but maybe he hasn't seen 'The Great Escape' )

A few nights ago, the mother badger came on her own. I heard snuffling outside so I did the usual with the lights and looked out to see her looking over her shoulder at the house before zigzagging away and then nipping into the border. I thought that would be the last I saw of badgers that night, so I turned off the lights again and ... I heard the flowerpot being knocked about! Yes, the badger vs. flowerpot rumble has resumed and the badger had come all the way back up to the house, after being spotted, just to duff up the flowerpot ("You've had your warning sonny, now you're going to get it ... oof! ... aah! ... kapow!")

I've been given a rational explanation for this (those who prefer the more fanciful explanation should look away now): the undersides of flowerpots often have beetles and other titbits underneath, so badgers tip them over to get at the snacks. Which makes sense. But isn't as much fun

awesome. Nope, not bored of badgers here! Dunno about anyone else but they can just look away can't they? I love your descriptions of what they do. I'd look out at them and think "cool" and forget what they did by the time I got to the computer and the only thing I'd be able to say would be "cool badgers"

Aw, thanks! I'm sure the badgers would say thanks too, but I've not heard a squeak since dusk - they must have been off on an expedition!

Yaay! The next installment

>>... the undersides of flowerpots often have beetles and other titbits underneath, so badgers tip them over to get at the snacks. Which makes sense. But isn't as much fun <<<

Clever badgers though, eh?


>>Dunno about anyone else but they can just look away can't they?<<

For a minute there HB I thought you meant the badgers, and that maybe they were shy

*tuning in for latest badger installment.*
Can you do it all in a voice like Bill Oddie?

*Kneels, grows beard, dons binoculars* Oddie here!

These badgers aren't shy - they're just cheeky!

(Didn't see them again last night - hope they got back all right)

That's an uncanny gift you have there Trin.

*Looks around puzzled* Trin? Goodies!

It's the man himself! Do you remember me? We've never met but I went to school in Brimingham as well.

I can't believe you held back on an exciting nature thing cos you thought we'd be bored of badgers...

*sheesh*

Don't ever do that again *tsk tsk* <wags finger to get point across*

Vestboy? Why, of course! I mean, didn't we ask you to join the Goodies at one point? And you said you were too busy saving the world, so we got Tim Brooke-Taylor in at the last moment ... ah, happy days. Oo, a grebe! *binoculars up*

Vix - regular, up-to-the-minute, as-it-happens badger updates from here on in

A grebe? for real, or are you doing your Odie impression?

You live near water?

I'm confused now, well I guess no change there then....

No, that was Bill Oddie. No grebes here. There are a couple of woodpeckers though

I'm so gullible or just plain daft sometimes...open season here you know...

Oi! What about your pigeons? Where's the pigeon update then?

We've got sparrows here in Cowley Peachy. I hadn't seen any for ages and now we've got at least two. Bodes well I think. Magpies by the hundred (figuratively speaking).

I've seen more sparrows recently, which is nice. Still a bit concerned about starlings though. Where did they all go?

You can have our Starlings if you like

Hey, I need some help with this: F19585?thread=260003&post=5599492#p5599492 (amateur naturalist question).