Leanne came with me to survey a sett for the Badger Trust.
It took us some time to find the sett. One effort was ended by a jungle of stinging nettles and blackthorn. The second was successful though involved trespass. Shh.
We saw where the sett used to be - it seemed disused - but we tracked down the new entrance, which was in the middle of a wheat crop. I say 'we' tracked it down, but actually Leanne did. And as she looked into the hole, she saw two young badgers looking up at her! By the time I had caught up with her, they'd moved out of sight.
We saw a lot of badger hairs and found a latrine.
Further along, there was another entrance and what may have been a ventilation hole.
That's the possible ventilation hole.
I sent off my report - with what.three.words location information and all very organissed. The county recorder was happy with it. But the best thing was that Leanne saw the badhers - it was the first time in her life she'd seen them alive and she loves them. It made her day!
I'm pleased Leanne saw the two young ones! Exciting! What size do setts tend to be? How long are the tunnels usually?