BADGERS
Near the hides, there are several active badger setts used by one or more clans of badgers. During the summer months, there is an opportunity to photograph the badgers in the late evening and early morning light. However, badger activity is at its best in May, April, and August through September due to their diet and their tendency to stay closer to the setts. The hides for the badgers are equipped with artificial lighting outside, which allows for photography even during the night and the darker months. This is perfect for creating low-key images but also serves as ”false” natural light. Additionally, there is a water reflection in one of the hides where the badgers can drink, creating fantastic photography opportunities with reflections of the badgers in the water.
Badger photography season
Badger activity and behavior vary from year to year and depending on the month.
January–February & November–December (Poor time for photographing badgers)
During the winter months, badgers are very inactive. They don’t go into full hibernation like some other animals but spend almost all their time in their sett. Only under very mild conditions might the badger come out of the sett and approach the hide during these winter months.
March–April (Okay time to photograph badgers)
In March and April, badgers give birth to their litters. The cubs are born underground in the sett, and during these months, they also spend a lot of time there. Later in April, activity usually increases as adult badgers move outside the hide to find food, especially at night. During March and April, badgers are likely to still be at their main sett.
Likely photography hide: Photo hide I
May–June (Good time to photograph badgers)
These are the months when the cubs usually leave the sett for small adventures outside. The adults are very active in searching for food, protecting, and exploring their surroundings. In May and June, badgers are likely still at their main sett.
Likely photography hide: Photo Hide I
July–August (Good time to photograph badgers but also one of the most challenging months)
During the summer months, badgers are very active, and this is also the time they mate. Activity is high, providing a good opportunity to photograph badgers in the evenings, at night, and early in the morning.
At the same time, summer is also the most challenging period to photograph badgers. This is because it’s uncertain how often badgers will be near the hide. During these months, mating season is ongoing, and the cubs have become more independent.
In my forest, where the hides are located, there are several setts that badgers switch between during the summer months, which can make photographing them challenging.
Likely photography hide: Photo Hide I or Photo Hide II
September–October (Good time to photograph badgers)
Now, the badgers begin seriously preparing for winter. They focus heavily on food and building up their fat reserves. Activity levels are also very high, especially in September and early October. They spend a lot of time at the sett organizing and preparing for winter.
Likely photography hide: Photo Hide I
In the badger clan’s territory, there are three different setts located about 200-500 meters apart. The main sett is the largest and is usually used by the badgers during spring, winter, and fall. During the summer months, they move to a smaller summer sett where they typically stay until late August/September when they move back to the main sett.
Hide I is used when the badgers are active at the main sett, and Hide II is used during the summer months when the badgers are more active at their summer sett.
Badger Guarantee
If, against all odds, you don’t spot a badger during your session, you can take advantage of my badger guarantee. My photography hides are usually very active, but since we are dealing with wild animals, there’s always a degree of uncertainty. The guarantee allows you to return once more during the badger season, and you can decide when you’d like to try again.
Please note that any additional expenses, including accommodation costs, are not refundable. I also review the trail camera after each visit, so if a badger was
Camera & Lenses
The badger usually comes close to the hides, from 15 meters down to just a few meters away. You can set up to two cameras in the hides (if you’re sitting alone). The choice of focal lengths is up to you; sometimes you might want to get really close, while other times you may want to capture more of the landscape. I recommend around 400-500 mm for portraits and around 200-300 mm for capturing the badger within the landscape.
Times for Badgers
You will enter the hide approximately two to three hours before sunset (note that this may vary depending on the badgers’ activity). You will leave the hide the next morning. Evening and night sessions only are also possible; contact me for more information.
Things to Bring into the Badger Hide
The badger hides have plates where you can attach your tripod head or use the available bean bags. In the large badger hide, there is space for overnight stays, so bring a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and possibly a pillow. In the smaller seasonal badger hide, there are also plates for tripod heads and bean bags. This hide is primarily for one or two people, and overnight stays are possible for one person.
In addition to these items, you should bring something to eat and drink. A flashlight or headlamp is also good to have.
What else can you see and photograph?
Are the Hides Only for Photographers?
You don’t need to be a photographer to enjoy sitting in a hide and watching badgers. It is a fantastic experience even without a camera. However, the hides are designed with photographers in mind, featuring many openings for lenses, mounting devices, bean bags, etc. All my hides are carefully planned to provide you with the best angles and the most beautiful backgrounds possible.
