Badger count

I am still not sure exactly how many badgers there are as yet. Last night saw me cooing over the white faced cub again, although she (As I discovered by my partner noticing teats already) was filthy yesterday! Tonight I saw four on the sett at the same time. Some were older and the 2 cubs from the other night. I will not know for sure  the full count until at least july, when they all seem to come out at once! The better weather and lighter nights will determine the full count.
Meanwhile there has been no sightings of the vixen, for 2 nights. I always worry when I do not see her and suspect the male has been taking her sandwiches. There has aso been sightings of the 'evening fox' coming earlier, so all a little unpredictable at the moment.

Looking frail

Cubs at last!

I have been waiting for this for 2 weeks! Tonight I was just about to go in, when I had texted my partner to bring more wine!! He came to me bringing the bottle with a tea towel over his arm, for comedy effect! I was worried and nagging as he always makes too much noise, for me. But he must have been a good luck omen as he nudged me and mouthed 'CUBS' ! I could hardly contain myself, especially as one was so clearly 'new'! I questioned whether I had missed them before on other sightings, but they were definitely a lot smaller than the others!

Sunshine

Lovely day today! I had just put the food out and caught sight of the vixen waiting at the side of the old badger hole she uses. She waited quietly until I had almost got to my seating area and then came out. Still limping a little, but her foot was on the ground. Her fur looks loads better. I had put arnica in the water , and saw her drinking loads , so that will help her sprains. She has a tick/eggs near her face, which can be seen in the photos. I am expecting her to have yet another wound there in a day or two, as she will no doubt bite it out. Just needs to put on some weight .

Ham sandwiches....

The vixen was waiting for me again today and actually seemed closer. Not moving away at all and totally trusting, which is worrying. She sat in the bushes until I had put the food out, all the time listening to me talking to her. Lame in her back leg again, but desperate for food. She behaved differently today, sitting in the grass between feeding. I am hoping this is not a sign that she is  getting weaker. I may start putting arnica in her water, just to help her along a little.

Mummy Badger

So no show for the vixen this afternoon , although Mr Fox showed up briefly to grab some food. I think he must have ate the sandwiches too, as I had to go indoors.
A good show later, with some good shots of mummy badger, who is clearly still feeding cubs.....I can hardly wait to see them. Looks like I may have to stay up later tomorrow night and indeed, until I see them!

Foxy Loxy and badgers

No sign of the vixen today , but I was five minutes late. According to my group page on Facebook, she was given bread and jam at 3pm precisely from a neighbour who is following my posts! Good that she had food, but worried that she missed the sandwiches with her meds in! Mr Fox was there eating the chicken and rice in her absence !

This evening the mamma badger was clearly seen , as her teats were visible, so indicating she is feeding cubs. Not yet seen on sett. This is the badger I nick named 'Cotton tail' as she had a white tail ....first seen last ear, as a cub. So exciting!