New setts to monitor! All quiet at Badger Manor 16th March 2026

I discovered two badger setts on Saturday. One some miles away (discovered whilst on a nine mile hike), and one a short walk from my home. Yes, it's even closer than Badger Manor. 

As usual, I cannot identify where, precisely, the badger setts are.

I may visit the close badger sett in the early hours of the morning as I also know where three Barn owl boxes are.

I took a 3D area scan of the close badger sett on Saturday. First time I've ever tried an area scan to give a better idea of the extent of a badger sett. I did a fair job, not least as it was at the end of the walk and I was quite tired - especially as I humped my Canon R7 and 70-300mm S lens with me.  However, I felt it wasn't quite right: I missed a small-ish badger sett hole next to a tree.

I went back this morning, and even though it was overcast, and did a better job of it.  Judge for yourselves.

Badger sett area scan 2 by Shockwave-Rider on Sketchfab

Now some 3D scans of a couple of the sett entrances.

Badger sett hole RNFNR 1 by Shockwave-Rider on Sketchfab

Badger sett hole RNFNR 2 by Shockwave-Rider on Sketchfab

About 400-500m from this sett complex was a boundary latrine. Unlike the broad one we found on the badger sett survey last month, this boundary latrine was spread in a long line along two perpendicular parts of a footpath - i.e. the footpath turned through 90 degrees, and is sandwiched between fences. Thus forming a perfect boundary.

Badger latrine 2 by Shockwave-Rider on Sketchfab

I took a 3D scan of a patch of Celandines. It came out rather well, even though I had to do the scan in a hurry - hiking, remember.

Celandine 1 by Shockwave-Rider on Sketchfab

Least we forget in the excitement of finding new badger setts - Badger Manor.

No cub sightings this week. I don't really expect to see a cub before the end of April or mid-May. However, the badgers themselves were very active - even in the pouring rain. The lower left and main sett entrances were used. The roof entrance only once.

However, I am convinced, more than ever that there are at least two sows occupying the sett. One sow has given birth and occupies a chamber to the right of the main entrance. Another sow occupies a chamber to the left of the main sett - I think. This latter sow has not given birth, though this is a hell of an assumption on my part.  The boar or boars come and go.

I'll post some videos and photos later on in the week.