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Black and White Army
Mark
Cocker in Longnor, Staffordshire
Badgers were already visible as we arrived at just eight o'clock in the
evening. Initially we felt so honoured to be watching them in broad
daylight that we scrutinised a pair's every move through binoculars. But
they were soon joined by four, five, eventually six other animals, and as
they were so oblivious of our presence, we too relaxed, lay down, hands
cupped behind our heads, and simply absorbed the entertainment. Some were
already feeding avidly, digging out tiny holes and plucking out the
succulent treasures. In fact, all eight badgers looked in fabulous
condition, their bodies sleek and their coats noticeably glossy. All the
recent wet weather has clearly been as good for them as it has for the
worms - their main prey.
One of the animals was focused on enlarging a hole, the orange earth
spurting out from between its back legs in large lumps. Another was
gathering fresh green bedding, raking it together with those five long
claws on each paw. Once it had assembled sufficient material it
manipulated the bundle - it has to be said, with some difficulty - on to
its chest and vanished backwards down the hole. The others were just
playing, scampering back and forth amid a confusion of high, whickering
calls. As they move, badgers create a low, heavy arc, with the apex about
mid-body and each end drooping heavily as if fused to the earth. It looks
cumbersome and badgers normally proceed in a rather comical rolling trot,
but tonight they seemed almost to be prancing with excitement. It was a
delightful scene and we enjoyed them until the sun had long sunk behind
surrounding hills.
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