Once upon a time there were so many squished hedgehogs on the road that people used to make up jokes about them, and you rarely saw a trace of a badger. Now you never see a dead hedgehog in the road, but cars seem to kill lots of badgers.
There is no doubt that animals without some form of natural predator to keep their numbers in balance can become a pest, and badgers are sadly in that category. There is no real long term solution but to cull them, along with that other "pest" , the deer. Sorry to have to say it but without it there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth.
I wonder why badgers have come so successful. You are right Woody that there are so many dead badgers on the roads now and have never seen a dead hedgehog for years. Although I certainly don't agree with it maybe badger baiting wiped out a lot of setts.
I hope I don't open a can of worms but sometimes fox hunting can be more humane than a fox being wounded by a shotgun and dying days later. Hunting got rid of a lot of the weaker foxes and although it must be terrifying for them to be chased the end is swift. There are foxes round here with mange and that is a horrible disease. My dog was infected once and although he was soon cured the poor foxes aren't so lucky so it must be better for them to have a quick death.
I hope I haven't upset any one. I know you won't all agree with me.
Pam, I may upset people too because I completely agree with you. I have lived in the country most of my life. Fox hunting is the way of killing that foxes do themselves. The fox either gets off free or is killed very quickly at the end. Shooting can leave foxes horribly injured. The fox gets away and sometimes the huntsman thinks he's missed, when what he's done is riddle the poor fox with holes full of shot, still alive.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
All the best on your retirement Dove. I hope you had a lovely day
Sorry about flowers, seem a little big!!!
Good day all
Busy day yesterday, was totally shattered last night so taking it easy today.
Very windy here with moments of bright sun. Still no frost though
haven't seen a hedgehog for ages. Did wonder about making a hedgehog safe place but really if there are any about, they probably already know where to sleep here. as plenty of deep leaves behind things that would protect them
Just to confirm, as if I hadn't noticed that it's getting cold, we've just seen a skein ( looked that one up ) of geese on their way south east. Loads of them, impressed.
Posts
Once upon a time there were so many squished hedgehogs on the road that people used to make up jokes about them, and you rarely saw a trace of a badger. Now you never see a dead hedgehog in the road, but cars seem to kill lots of badgers.
There is no doubt that animals without some form of natural predator to keep their numbers in balance can become a pest, and badgers are sadly in that category. There is no real long term solution but to cull them, along with that other "pest" , the deer. Sorry to have to say it but without it there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth.
I wonder why badgers have come so successful. You are right Woody that there are so many dead badgers on the roads now and have never seen a dead hedgehog for years. Although I certainly don't agree with it maybe badger baiting wiped out a lot of setts.
I hope I don't open a can of worms but sometimes fox hunting can be more humane than a fox being wounded by a shotgun and dying days later. Hunting got rid of a lot of the weaker foxes and although it must be terrifying for them to be chased the end is swift. There are foxes round here with mange and that is a horrible disease. My dog was infected once and although he was soon cured the poor foxes aren't so lucky so it must be better for them to have a quick death.
I hope I haven't upset any one. I know you won't all agree with me.
Pam, I may upset people too because I completely agree with you. I have lived in the country most of my life. Fox hunting is the way of killing that foxes do themselves. The fox either gets off free or is killed very quickly at the end. Shooting can leave foxes horribly injured. The fox gets away and sometimes the huntsman thinks he's missed, when what he's done is riddle the poor fox with holes full of shot, still alive.
All the best on your retirement Dove. I hope you had a lovely day
Sorry about flowers, seem a little big!!!
Good day all
Busy day yesterday, was totally shattered last night so taking it easy today.
Very windy here with moments of bright sun. Still no frost though
haven't seen a hedgehog for ages. Did wonder about making a hedgehog safe place but really if there are any about, they probably already know where to sleep here. as plenty of deep leaves behind things that would protect them
Just to confirm, as if I hadn't noticed that it's getting cold, we've just seen a skein ( looked that one up
) of geese on their way south east. Loads of them, impressed. 
Suns over the yard arm. Happy retirement, Dove. Cheers.
Thought this might be the ideal present Dove
Gilly, glad thats on a knealing pad and not a toilet seat (sorry,sorry,sorry, lowered the tone, just couldn't resist, sorry)
Like that one Gilly
Doing my winter project - re-upholstering an old sofa - I have just managed to slice the side of my mouse finger.
So off winter project and off gardening for a couple of days or so(sigh)
Mrs G!
Not been home long, brrr, getting chilly now must find my scarf and gloves
Hope you had a good last day Dove, you can have a lie in now.