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exact identification to occur. Two consecutive
evenings were booked for a total of eight Field
Club members to observe badgers at close range.
It is sad to report that only five places were
taken by members, the other three by friends,
keen to see badgers for the first time. On
the first evening a total of eight badgers was
seen (four at once) and animals were in view
for the two hours spent in the hide. So
confiding were they that two of this year's
cubs took biscuits from the hand. This was a
memorable experience and one that hopefully can
be included in the programme in future.
JOHN DOBSON
DEER WATCH, 20TH OCTOBER, 1990
On October 20th, eight members joined Brian
Eastcott at a north Essex wood to take part in
a deer watch. The party was spread out in the
wood, people being grouped at the junctions of
several rides to stand still and observe. The
watch started at 16.40 and lasted until the
light failed at 18.25. At my own section,
fourteen observations were made of twenty
animals - both Muntjac and Fallow Deer. Most
sightings were of deer crossing the ride, from
one section of woodland to another, but very
good views were obtained of Muntjac grazing.
Although Muntjac could be heard barking, the
rutting season for Fallow Deer would seem to be
starting late this year and no bucks were
heard, and only one seen. Other highlights of