Country diary: Achvaneran, Highlands

The vision of a Badger in your garden can be a fascinating experience. Photography: Andrew Fox the Guardian

Although we have lived in this Valley for 24 years to grow the garden still, fortunately, still out with surprises with regard to wildlife. However, it is exceptional, as in the past two weeks, they have had two incidents involved two mammals.

The first was in half later when the Mandarin and the mallard ducks in the pond below my study were, typically, loafing at the dam. Some were sleeping while others were busy preening. The young ducklings were trying to imitate the adults in preening and sometimes fall in their efforts. Suddenly everything changed as the Mallard began quacking loudly and mandarins with calls coot-like is Union. Some mallards were diving and splash, and then all the ducks began to swim laps and turns the small island. It was the culprit, and swim in the pond, was a black mink. It reached the Bank and disappeared into the bushes. At least not have domestic ducks and chickens these days but I was wondering what havoc would be airing in wildlife.

The second was late in the night, 11 pm, when I was looking down from the bedroom window. The bird table was lower, about six metres from the House. As usual, I looked into the pond where ducks were swimming around, but then there was the time when it is there that something different is happening. Had sprinkled some grain under the table for real and ducklings pintails Mandarin for supplies early in the morning. Feeding grain, there was a Badger. After a few minutes he joined and patterns in white and black heads shone and saw grey hair on the back. I was spellbound and impressed and had trouble sleeping that night.

View the original article here