Badgers at Fingringhoe - Photo: Steve Spurling
Badger watching evenings in Essex
Badger watching evenings
Have you ever wanted to see a badger in real life? These fascinating and reclusive creatures are often tricky to spot in the wild, until now.
Join our expert staff and volunteers at Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park, near Colchester, to see badgers up close in their natural habitat. We have a clan of badgers living on our nature reserve, and we are offering a unique experience to learn more about them.
You will be able to observe them from the comfort of Tom's Badger Hide, named after our volunteer who dedicated decades of his life to caring for these amazing creatures.
Our badger watching events run from April to October on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The events run for 2 hours.
Can't make it to a badger watching evening? Check out our live badger webcam to see them from the comfort of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do the badger watching evenings start?
We generally start the evenings at 7pm, however this can alter depending on the behaviour of the badgers. We will email participants closer to the event date with accurate timings as well as a contact numbers for your guides.
Will I definitely see a badger?
There is no guarantee that you will see a badger as they are wild animals and we don't keep them contained to the area. However their sett is just in front of the hide, and we use peanuts to feed them so they are comfortable with this routine so generally do come out to say hello.
How many people can attend?
We limit the number of participants to 4 per evening. This is to ensure quiet for the badgers so they can go about their evening in peace, but it also gives everyone the chance to ask their guide as many questions as they like.
Is there a minimum age for the badger evenings?
Yes, the minimum age of participants for badger watching is 12 years old, however if you would like younger children to attend, please call Fingringhoe nature discovery park on 01206 729678 as we ask you to book the hide for exclusive use.
Is there anything I need to know before attending?
Badgers are very sensitive to strong smells, noise, and sudden movement. We ask that you don't wear perfumes or bright colours so the badgers don't avoid the area. Please do not bring any food, but water is fine.
We encourage you to take as many pictures and videos as you like, but flash photography is strictly prohibited.
