¥e were soon off down the lane and into a field and
there in the hedge were some fairly extensive diggings
undoubtedly due to badger. There were also some bones
strewn about and these were duly collected, I was not only
informed of some other locations where badgers had been
seen, but also given the address of another naturalist who
would know of a more active sett.
This person lived at the end of a lane to the South of
Bradwell, nearer Tillingham, near the site of the former
Bradwell Mill. I soon found the house and met the occupants
and, sure enough, they had a large sett in their extensive
garden. By then it was well into the evening, and I
decided to stay for a watch, While I waited for dusk I was
kindly given a share of the family meal, during which we
discussed local natural history and this produced a number
more badger records and also an introduction to another
local naturalist on whose land it seemed I had parked my
car. Just before eight o'clock we set off into the dusk
and sat under some trees in view of the most promising hole.
It was certainly a promising night, but apart from the cry
of a fox and those of the redshank over the marsh, the night
was uneventful. So, back to the house for a welcome cup of
tea, when not only was another sett location gleaned, but
also the name of a local taxi driver who had seen some
badgers.
By then it was rather late, and I bid my leave of
these very pleasant people on whom I had intruded without
any warning. The drive back was uneventful until I was
stopped rather abruptly at the site of an accident. It
was only here that I realised my brakes (adjusted only that
morning to pass the MOT test) were not working properly.
So the rest of the journey back to Writtle was slow and in
low gear, but apart from this is had been a truly
wonderful day.
Ron Allen
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