A few years ago I used to feed peanuts and dry cat food to the young badger in the above photograph, which lived in the field opposite my house alongside several of its pals.
I lived on the South Coast of England just outside of Hastings in a place called Guestling Hall on the Rye Road. It was pretty much on the Downs. You could wander through fields to see Paul McCartney's home if you so desired, or make your way to a pub, no doubt long closed, with the smallest pool table in the world inside, and a couple of pool sticks that had been shortened considerably in able to play on the table edge which was a foot from a wall.
One time, one evening, I wandered lonely as a cloud towards where I thought a badger set was, well, er, set. I did not find the set so I wandered onwards with my torch/flashlight through dusk into evening, a place I often visit. I caught a glimpse of the rear end of a very large badger waddling away. Being young and somewhat simplistic I wanted to see more of the badger than it's bum, so followed it as it tumbled through the undergrowth. I was slowly getting closer and closer and saw that it had come to be caught, as it were, blocked by a fence that cornered away from us. I cannot say I got bitten on the bottom, because my deep subconscience told me that badgers are not too fond of being cornered. It showed me it's teeth, and I slowly and carefully, trying not to trip, backed away, not wanting to turn my back to the creature. I think his name was Reggie, or at least that's what it seemed to snarl at me through it's very sharp gnashers. I left it to find its way home as I did, thankful I had an evening without scars.
We rented a house in the highlands of Scotland where we would feed several beautiful Pine Martens each evening. Had to be Peanut Butter sandwiches for them, every time. We tried adding grapes, in order to at least provide them with one-a-day, but they left them for the mice to eat.
I recently moved back to Suffolk after a decade abroad and one of the joys of my life has been getting acquainted with a pair of muntjac deer we christened- somewhat unimaginatively- Monty and Myrtle, who live amid the bushes outside our house. Not long after moving in, one afternoon I found a rather sad looking hedgehog shuffling about the edges of the same shrubbery. I rang a hedgehog hotline (I cannot express how happy it makes me to know such a thing exists) and was advised of a nearby veterinary practice that would take it in and help the poor thing. Being car-less, several miles away and short on time (impending nursery pick up for my son) I hustled up to the taxi rank in town. The driver of the taxi waiting there eyed the box I was holding suspiciously and looked vaguely alarmed as a shuffling emanated from within (the hedgehog, I’m pleased to say, being well enough to object vigorously to being placed in a box, even one with cat food in it). When he asked me what was in the box, there was a moment’s pause after I told him, but whether he was a fellow animal lover or just sympathetic to the rather frazzled looking one in front of him, he took the fare. Hedgehog was safely delivered to the vets, who seemed confident they could help him with some fluids and anti-tick treatment, and I was safely delivered to my son’s nursery, and all was well.
I like it that you were friends with a badger. My previous experience with that concept was the comic book superhero The Badger, written by Mike Baron. Your story is much sweeter.
That's reminds me that I must put out a little food to see if the hedgehogs are up and about. I have a wildlife camera, we've got at least two regular hog visitors - Limahl (he has a blonde stripe) and Columbo (he has one eye) . Really hoping they made it through the winter.
Used to have hedgehogs visiting, they loved the dogs outdoor water bowl, Bruce (my old husky/collie) would alert us to the fact a hedgehog had the audacity to drink from it, not seen one in many years now, Bruce is long gone and so sadly are his drinking buddies. I once stroked a badger, but that is another story :)
I lived on the South Coast of England just outside of Hastings in a place called Guestling Hall on the Rye Road. It was pretty much on the Downs. You could wander through fields to see Paul McCartney's home if you so desired, or make your way to a pub, no doubt long closed, with the smallest pool table in the world inside, and a couple of pool sticks that had been shortened considerably in able to play on the table edge which was a foot from a wall.
One time, one evening, I wandered lonely as a cloud towards where I thought a badger set was, well, er, set. I did not find the set so I wandered onwards with my torch/flashlight through dusk into evening, a place I often visit. I caught a glimpse of the rear end of a very large badger waddling away. Being young and somewhat simplistic I wanted to see more of the badger than it's bum, so followed it as it tumbled through the undergrowth. I was slowly getting closer and closer and saw that it had come to be caught, as it were, blocked by a fence that cornered away from us. I cannot say I got bitten on the bottom, because my deep subconscience told me that badgers are not too fond of being cornered. It showed me it's teeth, and I slowly and carefully, trying not to trip, backed away, not wanting to turn my back to the creature. I think his name was Reggie, or at least that's what it seemed to snarl at me through it's very sharp gnashers. I left it to find its way home as I did, thankful I had an evening without scars.
I do love badgers.
I have to be honest life is very difficult right now emotionally and I can’t describe the joy this gave me, I really needed that. Thank you!
We rented a house in the highlands of Scotland where we would feed several beautiful Pine Martens each evening. Had to be Peanut Butter sandwiches for them, every time. We tried adding grapes, in order to at least provide them with one-a-day, but they left them for the mice to eat.
I recently moved back to Suffolk after a decade abroad and one of the joys of my life has been getting acquainted with a pair of muntjac deer we christened- somewhat unimaginatively- Monty and Myrtle, who live amid the bushes outside our house. Not long after moving in, one afternoon I found a rather sad looking hedgehog shuffling about the edges of the same shrubbery. I rang a hedgehog hotline (I cannot express how happy it makes me to know such a thing exists) and was advised of a nearby veterinary practice that would take it in and help the poor thing. Being car-less, several miles away and short on time (impending nursery pick up for my son) I hustled up to the taxi rank in town. The driver of the taxi waiting there eyed the box I was holding suspiciously and looked vaguely alarmed as a shuffling emanated from within (the hedgehog, I’m pleased to say, being well enough to object vigorously to being placed in a box, even one with cat food in it). When he asked me what was in the box, there was a moment’s pause after I told him, but whether he was a fellow animal lover or just sympathetic to the rather frazzled looking one in front of him, he took the fare. Hedgehog was safely delivered to the vets, who seemed confident they could help him with some fluids and anti-tick treatment, and I was safely delivered to my son’s nursery, and all was well.
Muntjac deer barking incantations -- oh, the visual that came with that!! Thank you so much.
A bite on the bottom by a badger would be a highlight at any party.
I love it. For a while I was a member of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. This brought back memories.
I like it that you were friends with a badger. My previous experience with that concept was the comic book superhero The Badger, written by Mike Baron. Your story is much sweeter.
Enjoy your writing Sir
Thank you!
That's reminds me that I must put out a little food to see if the hedgehogs are up and about. I have a wildlife camera, we've got at least two regular hog visitors - Limahl (he has a blonde stripe) and Columbo (he has one eye) . Really hoping they made it through the winter.
Joe sounds like such a sweetie.
The wildlife in our garden are a source of joy. As was this post.
Thanks Victoria!
Used to have hedgehogs visiting, they loved the dogs outdoor water bowl, Bruce (my old husky/collie) would alert us to the fact a hedgehog had the audacity to drink from it, not seen one in many years now, Bruce is long gone and so sadly are his drinking buddies. I once stroked a badger, but that is another story :)
These stories are utterly charming
As always, thank you for your wonderful work!
Such a lovely read, thank you.