2007

4th Went and visited a couple who had a dead Badger in a field behind their house, they thought it may have been shot. However when I got close to it, it had clearly been dead for some time as the maggots were very established. It wasn't that far from a main road and seeing as it was very near to the houses I believed that it had been hit on the road and crawled into the field and died. I could see no signs of it being shot. Rather than try to pick up or drag the badger I suggested the guy scoop it up with a shovel to prevent it falling apart!!!

9th Moved a Badger Rta in Essex

10th Badger Rta in Suffolk, too dangerous to stop and move.

13th Moved a Badger Rta in Suffolk

25th Had a phone call from Peter Grimwade asking me to visit 3 Rta's possibly shot. Also he informed me that Margaret was very ill but she would speak to me soon. On investigating the Badgers I could only find two but none showed any signs of shooting and were on a tight little road. Will have to revisit during winter and locate the sett here.

September:

6th Had a phone call from my friend and original tutor on Badgers, Margaret Grimwade. She is unfortunately very ill. Reporting that I had moved 4 dead Badgers on Suffolk Roads today seemed very insignificant.

8th Went to see Margaret at her home, whereby she told me her devastating news in more detail. It was decided that I would take away with me her Suffolk Sett Records and endeavor to convert these written records, going back to the early 1980's, onto a spreadsheet on the computer. There are nearly 800 setts to record!

13th Moved Badger Rta in Essex

15th 2 Badger Rta's one in suffolk and one in Essex

17th Went and investigated a report that a Badger had been released by members of the public from a "drag snare" Although I was unable to locate the snare or the injured Badger the landowner was found and spoken to who admitted his gamekeeper used the snares and had "lost" one. He even admitted he'd caught his own dogs in them before! Hopefully the gamekeeper if he insists on using them will set them higher from the ground as this is more likely to catch a Fox rather than a Badger as was intended.

19th Took the afternoon off work to meet up with some of the careers at Secret World which is an animal rescue center, especially good at looking after sick, injured and orphaned Badgers. After a very interesting afternoon and meeting up with some local landowners, I had to visit a woman who had taken some pictures of a badger which was roaming her garden in daylight. However when I arrived and after nearly an hour of searching we decided It must have left from where ever it had come from. She was most relieved as she had kept her cat indoors all day as she didn't want it getting scared!

22nd Went to see a member of public living in Ipswich who thought her mother may have a Badgers sett in her back garden. Fortunately or unfortunately it was a Fox but it had certainly made a large spoil heap of sand.

26th Attended NEEBG committee meeting.

30th Went to Dunwich heath and photographed Comma and Small Copper Butterfly

October:

6th Went out on my own as Wayne was in Norfolk. Headed to Minsmere first thing, didn't see much to start with but on way back to car I came across some Red Deer which I managed to stalk after a few failed attempts. After leaving Minsmere I headed to Single Street and had a reasonable viewing of an Egret. These birds always seem very twitchy and it soon decided enough was enough and flew off. Just before heading home I called in at Languard to try and view some Ring Ouzel but had no joy.

7th Went back to Languard early today but still did not get any views of Ring Ouzel, however I did meet my mate Kelvin while I was Photographing Redstart and Black Redstart.

9th Fed the Badgers at the SWT hide as there is a group visiting at the weekend hoping for some good views. I did not stop as it was absolutely tipping it down!

11th Went to feed the Badgers again, this time I saw two Badgers out who soon shot off when I threw out their food. On the way home a Fox quite happily trotted up the road to the local Sports Center and was sniffing around the cars under floodlight.

13th Up nice and early today and met up with Wayne, to go to Minsmere / Dunwich. We were on the lookout for Red Deer and we were not to be disappointed. At first we came across a few younger Stags as they disappeared into the woods. It was still quite dark so with our camouflage on, camera's set with high iso's, we began to stalk!We trekked across the wood and as we came to a clearing we were surrounded by echoing roars from several stags. It was like a scene from Jurassic Park. Unfortunately we were on the wrong side of the clearing for the sunlight so after an hour or so we made our way back to the car and moved further down so we could enter the wood on the other side. Once in position we decided to sit low down with our backs to some trees and just wait. Before long some hinds came through to the clearing with a stag sniffing, roaring and generally trying to rally the hinds together. All of a sudden the stag looked around and glared over the horizon from which came a very loud and deep roar. The stag that followed was considerably bigger than the one in front of us, and it did not take long before the smaller stag disappeared away from the fast approaching larger male. With our cameras clicking like mad, the stag seemed to stare at us and kept getting closer and closer. I had to wind my zoom in as it approached as it was filling the frame too much. I heard Wayne cursing as he ran out of memory space. My zoom was now fully wound in and I also ran out of memory, but the stag kept getting nearer. All the time the deep roar was something I had never experienced before. With neither of us being in a position to take any pictures I started to get very fidgety and concerned about an escape plan. I began to make some gradual arm movements which got more and more exaggerated, eventually making the deer stop and decide to go away. I looked at Wayne, removed our camo head gear and both just grinned from ear to ear. I think I was shaking for about 30minutes with the adrenaline!

14th Back for a return visit to see the Red Deer, earlier this time to witness the mist before it was burned off by the rising sun. Not so close encounters as yesterday but this could of been down to two individuals who despite having camouflaged gear on, walked right across in the open clearing trying to see the Deer who just disappeared for a good hour afterwards! Grrrrr!

20th Went to Thetford and Santon Downing for the Annual Suffolk Badger Group meeting. There are alot of changes being proposed so we will have to see what happens on this front. Had some interesting chats about Deer and their impact on the environment.

21st The suffolk Badger setts have now been updated to 320 out of just under 800

22nd Received a phone call via the North East Essex Badger Hotline (07751572175) to inform me that a member of the public, out walking her dog, had found a Badger that was caught up in brambles and clematis vines, but it was still alive. On arrival I could see that the animal had obviously been trying to get itself free by the ground being dug up and the vines all twisted and tightened down onto the poor badger. It was really quite exhausted by the look of it, it barely lifted its head when I arrived. I arranged the cage close by and carefully proceeded to cut away at the vines, whilst controlling the badgers head with a grasper. The badger got a second wind and was getting agitated, quite understandably, but eventually I managed to free it and place it in the cage. After a few minutes of close inspection I could see that it was not just vines tightly wrapping the badger but a snare! whether it was legal or not it was locked solid and cutting into the badgers skin. The slightest movement towards it and the badger would try to get at me. It was time to get it to the vets. Renee, who was on the NEEBG hotline was quickly on the ball with a vet in the next town. They took in the badger and after some discussion about the best action to take, the badger was anesthetized and not one but TWO snares were removed! the cuts were cleaned and treated, after a quick shave, and the badger was then further examined. Finally it was treated with a long acting antibiotic injection. Once the badger had come round, I was able to take the badger away. I phoned Nik who luckily has an old dog kennel which is now reserved as a badger rehab pen, and the poor badger was released to recover in quiet. A banquet of dog food, peanuts and water were provided and fingers were crossed.

23rd Received a message from Nik that the badger had not eaten anything and was curled up in the corner of the kennel.

24th Nik reported that this morning none of the food had been eaten again but it did lift its head when he went in. Continued to update the Badger sett records.

25th Nik again reported that none of the food had been eaten, but the badger had covered itself in hay. It seemed that the badger was curling up and just wanting to hide. It was now 3 nights without food or water so a decision was made after speaking to Renee and Katrina of the NEEBG for me to force feed some fluids into it. Armed with a small syringe, a longer piece of soft pipe, some water and 1/2 dozen eggs I began to force feed the badger. Nik joined me and with the aid of a torch we tried getting the water in under the badgers lip, for several minutes the badger would have none of it. Because of the position of the badger I started to run the water down its snout which is how I used to force feed my Female Iguana when she was laden with eggs. Sure enough the badger unlocked its mouth and had a single lick. With perseverance the badger started to take some of the water and was making some very strange noises as it had a drink. With the small amount of liquid inside it, the badger seemed to wake up a little and got up and moved around so Nik and I put down some eggs and covered it over again. Fingers crossed it may be the start of the badger feeding itself.

26th Unfortunately I had a text from Nik saying that the badger had not eaten again. I met up with Nik and we proceeded to force feed the badger. On uncovering the kennel, the badger looked up and generally seemed alot more alert than it did yesterday. It was not as long as before, that it started to put its head down and lick at the hay as I syringed the water down the badgers snout. Nik wandered if we'd be able to crack an egg and give it to the badger so improvising we pierced an egg in two places and sucked out the yolk etc with the syringe. At first the badger remained tight jawed but suddenly it started to lap up the egg with relish. By the third egg it was getting really quite amusing, there was egg all over the badgers nose, legs and chest as it actively licked at the hose. I followed this up by some more water before the badger decided it was getting a bit messing and got up and covered over the damp hay and moved to the far corner of the kennel. We covered the kennel back over and withdrew. At least it was an improvement from yesterday.

27th Still the badger had not eaten on its own so waiter service was required again. Today on the menu was for an appetizer - Water, main course - 6 eggs, and for desert - Peanut Butter sandwiches (although these were kept for a midnight snack I think!) When the badger had had enough it moved out of reach and lay down as if worn out by its feed.

28th The badger had been active during the night in as much as it had rearranged its hay, covering up its left over food in the bowl and returned to the nearest corner. On waking it up, it seemed more alert today. As soon as the tube was offered with water it began lapping it up. Having only got 2 eggs today I made it up by offering honey covered peanuts. Although at first the badger didn't seem keen, when I offered the tube with honey on it got quite excited. By then dripping the peanuts and honey on the hay and then putting the tube with water over them, it soon accidentally tasted the treat and began to eat them. Also offered was a peanut butter sandwich soaked with water. Today was rewarded with when the badger had finished it went into the far corner, scrapped about and then let loose with its bowels sending myself and Nik gagging out into the fresh air giggling quietly as not to disturb its first "movement" for nearly a week! It was another positive sign although all the effort made the badger fall asleep on its dung pile! Nice.

Continued to update the Suffolk Badger Sett records.

29th On visiting the Badger today I could not see any signs of a dung pile so it must have just been a lot of built up gas yesterday! The badger didn't seem very keen to feed as it had been doing so I left a few eggs nearby. By 1750 Nik reported that he could hear the badger crunching on the eggs when he put out some peanuts.

30th I set up the stealth cam today as the badger had eaten some dried fruit, peanuts and eggs that we'd left for it. 4 eggs were left inside along with some dog food , honey, nuts and mixed fruit. A trail of eggs were put leading out of the kennel into the run.

31st Although all the eggs inside the kennel had been eaten, the ones outside were untouched and hence there were no photo's. Attended the NEEBG committee meeting.

November:

1st Went to Minsmere first thing in the morning with Wayne, but the deer rut seems to have calmed down. We hardly saw any Stags but we did have a Fox run towards us catching me of guard a bit with the camera. Spent the rest of the daylight carrying out Otter surveys on the river Gipping with some positive results. Nik reported that all the food outside the kennel had been eaten and that the stealth cam had some pictures on it. Things had picked up and the badger was making progress. When I had a look in the kennel after changing the camera card I could only just see the contented looking curled up badger covered up in the hay, snoring!

2nd Nik had started to up the food put down now, he reported that the dog food, fruit, most of the nuts, and 3 day old chicks had all been eaten. But "Crapatoa was still waiting to erupt!" which made me smile, although this would be crucial to find out if the badgers internals were functioning correctly. Fed the SWT badgers.

3rd Removed the stealth cam as I was happy the badger was moving around ok. Left the feeding with Nik. Updated the suffolk badger records (542 out of 773 done)

4th "Crapatoa" has erupted! Apparently Nik nearly trod in the larva! " All looks ok, as ok as badger poo can!" I rang Jane who found the badger 2 weeks prior, to inform her of the good news, that hopefully this week, the badger will be ready to go home. Updated the badger records again, now 650 out of 773. Met up with Peter Grimwade and visited the Sett I have previously done with Margaret on a couple of occasions. Looked very different in the daylight, and so quiet..... until a Muntjac deer barked! I will be visiting this sett regularly from now on.

5th The badger has continued to feed well and is regularly using two areas as dung pits, there is no stopping her now. Decided not to release this evening due to the noisy fireworks.

6th Went to Nik's and with his help coaxed the sleepy badger into the cage and into the carrying box. Once I arrived down the track it was still a little light so I put down the cage with a blanket over it so the badger could get familiar with the surrounding smells, she already looked excited. I used the remaining light to check for any more snares, but also any signs leading to a sett but did not find one, only "up and over's" in the overgrown ditches.Once the light got lower I removed the blanket, the badger was now literally so excited it was dribbling from her mouth. I positioned a little camera on a self timer, set my main camera up with the flashgun and removed the end of the cage leaning it up against the end. The badger remained quite calm while I backed away and sat and watched. After an initial scratching at the base of the cage, she turned round and noticed the gap in the end that I had removed. She obviously wasn't up for any more photos as rather than run straight out as I had hoped she nudged the end and went down the side and straight into the undergrowth! After an initial busy rustle all went quiet, then there was the sound of a quick scamper as the badger tore up the bank and took off across the open field behind the hedge. I ran along side the hedge as quick as I could hoping for a break in it so I could see where the dark shadow was heading. I had pointed the camera in the rough direction and clicked hoping for a shot. By the time I found a gap in the hedge I could just make her out galloping across the field at such a rate, clearly heading for a wood in the distance. She knew where she was and I can only hope and imagine that her fellow sett mates were suddenly awoken by a huffing and puffing, strange smelling and unusually shaven, much traveled long lost companion. I'm sure that with her excitement and their sleepiness, that she would soon be welcomed back into the group with much grooming. I packed away my gear and just started to leave, but was then stopped by a little old lady on a four wheeled quad bike accompanied by her dog. In a posh little voice she demanded "what are you doing here?" to which I replied "Sorry, I was just photographing the sunset, see ya!" Talk about timing!!!!!

7th Getting near to completing Badger sett records.

8th Fed both the SWT badgers and the new sett I will be looking after regularly which I will call Earls sett from now on.

9th I have finished updating the Sett records which have now got 887 entries!!!! Finding out information is now so much easier using filters.

10th Went to Minsmere and met up with Wayne. All was quiet apart from a Water Pipit paying us a visit. Had to leave early as I was going to meet some members of public who believed there was a badger sett on their local common. Unfortunately nothing new was found. On the way home I took the opportunity to visit another member of the public who reportedly had a sett on his land. This did prove successful and it was a new record so that makes 888 setts!

11th Typed Margaret a letter informing her of the badgers successful release and the completion of her records onto the computer.

18th Tried photographing a Magpie from the hide in my garden, although the light wasn't the best. Had a Fox in the garden but unable to recognize it.

20th As the light was fading at the end of the day, a female Sparrow Hawk flew through the garden and perched on my shed roof briefly.

22nd Sent off 4 photo's to Alamy Stock Photography and am waiting now to see if they pass quality control. If they do, then I can attempt to maybe sell some. ha!

23rd I had two foxes in the garden tonight but I still couldn't make them out in detail.

24th At 1850 a fox came up on the patio which sent Taz into a small frenzy!

25th Visited and watched at Earls sett at 1845. As I approached there were already at least two badgers out. As I watched, 3 came quite close to feed, one having part of its ear missing. This is a smaller male according to Margaret's details that she has given me.

28th Saw a small flock of Meadow Pipit while parked up today, they didn't settle for long and the weather was pretty grey but I managed a few shots. The photo's I had sent to Alamy, have passed quality control, and can now be purchased..... in my dreams! Stock photography by Adrian Hinchliffe at Alamy

29th Had a phone call from Suffolk Wildlife Trust reporting that during the night Margaret Grimwade very sadly passed away. She has been my guru and friend and will be greatly missed. Her dedication, enthusiasm and enjoyment of wildlife and in particular Badgers is a real inspiration.

December:

1st Went to Shingle Street but got the tides all wrong. No Short Eared Owls were seen either. Went to Hen reed beds and saw a Hen Harrier, a Bittern flying and a rabbit being chased across the grass and into a field by a Stoat. It lost the rabbit but went up to a crouching Hare which stood up with its ears bolt upright and to my surprise the stoat ran away!

2nd I have been modifying the outlook from my garden hide in the hope that with time, correct light and a little luck I may get some photo's of the more common bird life which visit.

8th Went out with Wayne again to Shingle Street but again we did not get any pictures of the Kingfisher.

11th Attended a service in celebration of Margaret Grimwade's life. As well as all the wildlife, Margaret was a very talented sports women in the past and devoted family person. She has clearly influenced many peoples lives, with over 200 people attending the service.

13th Watched a fox in the garden with night vision binoculars, looked like it possibly could of been "Rogue"

15th Went out with Wayne, this time we managed to photograph the Kingfisher at Shingle Street perched in sunlight on a rock. Two foxes turned up in the garden this evening although one was chased away eventually.

16th 1730 fox screams echoed around the wood for over an hour, with one fox feeding in the garden.

21st Had a few more photo's accepted by Alamy.

22nd Updated web site, after weeks of problems with it, it now seems to be ok. Watched at Earls Sett.

27th Fed both Swt badgers and at Earls but did not stay to watch.

30th Went to watch at SWT badger hide but it was one disaster after another. Firstly when I arrived there were 2 large vehicles with lights full on and workmen walking about. They had just finished repairing an overhead cable so I decided to wait seeing as I was there and hopefully the badgers wouldn't have emerged just yet. Once the workmen had left I put out some food but every now and then I was getting a whiff of dog poo! As I layed down against a tree and settled down to wait, every now and then I would continue to smell this foul smell. Eventually, you guessed it, I found where the smell was coming from..... the bottom of my shoe, amongst other areas! Great! If I could smell it then the badgers definitely would and would be put off more than me. I got up in disgust and wandered off home to clean up!