Posted by the Animal of the Year team, 17.10.2016
The female badger showed herself in her full glory even in daytime! While otherwise all the black-and-white badger videos have been recorded at dusk then now the female walked across the sett in clear daylight and the camera recorded the first colour video.
The signature of last week was the first night frosts with several minus degrees. The badgers understand what is coming. By the time when permanent cold arrives and sleepiness takes over the sleeping chambers must be furnished and ready for the severe winter. At the Soosaare bogside burrow entrances, that have been inactive lately, hurried activity started. Collecting dry and soft materials into the tunnels seems to be the task of the large male badger only. Major work went on this week only at the first burrow entrances that had been inactive for a long time. The rear burrow chambers seem to be ready. No more leaves are carried in there.
It seems that it has been possible to accept the raccoon dogs that up to now only have been a nuisance. Inevitable. The long winter must be survived and the raccoon dog subtenants simply have to be tolerated.
The badgers gain weight noticeably each week. The raccoon dogs that are here as lodgers and tenants have eaten themselves very plump too. The ever longer nights are largely spent on foraging trips.
The leaves keep falling. The greenery that has concealed the sett is receding. It is open and quiet. Mornings are crisp.
