RSPB Mersehead Blog 19th - 25th October.
Autumn is well in to way and it looks absolutely beautiful on Mersehead!
Mute Swans and Canada Geese from Meida hide. Photo credit: K. Stevenson.
In the past couple weeks, we have been hosting ‘Badger Banquets’ here at Mersehead. These events give people the opportunity to observe badgers in the natural habitat from the comfort of our Sulwath Centre. We are lucky enough to have multiple badger setts on site and with a bit of encouragement in the form of jam and peanut butter they happily come and visit us in the garden! The events have been super successful with up to four badgers visiting in one night!
Two Badgers enjoying the banquet. Photo credit: K. Stevenson.
The European Badger is a native British mammal and member of the mustelid family alongside pine martins and stoats. They live in social groups called a ‘clan’ which can include up to nine individuals, typically a dominant pair and their offspring. Badgers are nocturnal and live in underground structures called a ‘sett’, this is made up of several entrance holes leading to a subterranean tunnel and chamber system. They are a territorial species and will defend their territory as a clan. Multiple setts can be found in a territory, and they will be used at different times of the year however, there is one main sett that will be occupied all year round.
One badger walking the plank! Photo credit: K. Stevenson.
Badgers have a diverse diet depending on the time of the year. Their main diet consists of earthworms and other insects however they will also feast on bulbous plants, fruits such as blackberries, and small invertebrates such as rabbit kits. Badgers have a great sense of smell, and their feeding strategy is to generally follow their noses, for this reason quick prey is rarely caught. As stated above, here at Mersehead we entice them into the garden using peanut butter and jam! We will only do this in the run up to the event as we do not want them to become reliant on us and our jam.
Two Badgers who came to visit enjoying the peanut butter and jam. Photo credit: K. Stevenson.
Badgers have a short, stocky appearance that enables them to move around in their underground tunnels. They are approximately the size of a spaniel-breed dog with an average body length of around 70-75cm. Badgers are easily recognisable with their black and white striped face and grey body. The reason behind their distinctive stipes is thought to be a warning sign to potential predators.
Unfortunately, all our Badger banquets have sold out now but do keep an eye out for other amazing events here at Mersehead by using our events page: https://events.rspb.org.uk/mersehead .
Keira Stevenson, Residential Volunteer
Upcoming events: For more information on individual events and to book a place, please go to our website: https://events.rspb.org.uk/mersehead
Halloween and Weird Geese: Self-guided family event, collect your activity pack from the Visitor Centre
12th – 27th October
Badger Banquet; Booking Essential
2nd November
Forest School: For more information & to book a place on Forest School please email: mersehead@rspb.org.uk
24th November
At Mersehead you will find the RSPB’s only self-catering holiday cottages - Barnacle and Shelduck. Available dates are currently going quickly, so please follow the links to book your next holiday.
*Flooding - Please note that Mersehead nature reserve is prone to flooding during periods of high rainfall and/or strong winds and tidal surges. To avoid disappointment at these times, please contact the reserve in advance of your visit by email in the first instance at mersehead@rspb.org.uk or check the RSPB Dumfries and Galloway Facebook Page for daily updates.