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<title>BBC | SpringWatch</title>
<link>https://meleleh.pages.dev/blogs/springwatch/</link>
<description>We&apos;re no longer updating this blog. For news on Springwatch, Autumnwatch and much more, please read the BBC Nature UK blog.</description>
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<copyright>Copyright 2010</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:48:48 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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	<title>Home movies: Springwatch special</title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>The main thing that struck me when I made this Springwatch Special was how good the footage was that you sent. What makes it so appealing is that it's the kind of material you'd never seek to capture as a professional wildlife cameraman. Photography is all about being in the right place at the right time, and recording what you see... even if that's in your own garden using the camera on your mobile phone. </p>]]><![CDATA[<p>You don't need state-of-the-art equipment or an amazing knowledge of wildlife; just scratch the surface and find out what's happening right under your nose whether that be in your garden, in the park down the road, or literally on your doorstep. </p>

<p>Fox Diaries, which I made for Springwatch in 2007, is a perfect example of this. It was a surprise to me to find a wonderful drama playing out right outside my home in Glasgow. If that's happening in a major city then there must be dramas playing out under every hedgerow. </p>

<p>If you see anything interesting, film it on your mobile phone, your camcorder or whatever's to hand - it really doesn't matter. That's what so great about Springwatch - it's all about the animal behaviour. It doesn't matter if the framing's not perfect or if it's slightly out of focus - if it's interesting behaviour then we'd love to see it.</p>

<p>On the Home Movies special, there are a couple of films that really stuck in my head. The first was about Lindsay McCrae (you can see <a href="https://meleleh.pages.dev/blogs/springwatch/2009/05/the_future_chris_packham.html">a Springwatch film about him on the Mole's blog</a>), a 19-year-old wildlife filming fanatic. He reminded me of when I was that age although to be honest, he's got more passion for wildlife than I had then. To see him four years later and still mad keen gives you a real idea of his commitment to the subject. </p>

<p>The other film is the brilliant footage of a barn owl taken by an oil rig worker. This guy spends half his year stuck miles out in the North Sea and seeing this barn owl obviously meant a huge amount to him.  </p>

<p>A 15-year-old boy, an oil rig worker... anyone can do it. Get your camera, get out there and get filming. (And please <a href="https://meleleh.pages.dev/springwatch/yourmovies/uploader.shtml">send your films to us</a>!)  </p>

<p>You can watch some of the best of your home movies <a href="https://meleleh.pages.dev/springwatch/yourmovies/">here</a>. And remember, it's not just moving footage you've been sending us: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/bbcspringwatch/">the Springwatch Flickr group</a> has some wonderful stills of spring flora and fauna.<br />
</p>]]></description>
         <dc:creator>Gordon Buchanan <$MTAuthorDisplayName$></dc:creator>
	<link>https://meleleh.pages.dev/blogs/springwatch/2009/06/home_movies_springwatch_specia.html</link>
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	<category>In depth</category>
	<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:48:48 +0000</pubDate>
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<item>
	<title>Have you seen any surprising badger behaviour?</title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>This year we're taking an <a href="https://meleleh.pages.dev/blogs/springwatch/2009/05/gordon_buchanans_badger_stake.html">in depth look at badgers</a>. It's becoming clear there's more to <a href="https://meleleh.pages.dev/springwatch/meettheanimals/badger.shtml">badgers</a> than we thought. </p>]]><![CDATA[<p>We've already seen badgers eating baby rabbits and we're also getting reports from you. jule_s, for one, <a href="https://meleleh.pages.dev/blogs/springwatch/2009/05/gordon_buchanans_badger_stake.html#P80316029">has a chicken-eating badger in her garden</a>.  </p>

<p>Now we'd like to hear from you. Have you seen any badger behaviour that's surprised you? If you have please tell us below.</p>

<p><small><strong>Update 10th June 2009:</strong></small><br />
Some really great reports have come in from you about all things badger. There have been a few recurring themes that have stuck out. </p>

<p>One thing many of you have commented on is the reason why we are seeing badgers in our towns and cities. The truth is that they will always have been there. Unlike foxes that are known to give up country living to find vacant territories in towns, some badger setts have been in existence for hundreds of years and it is us that have been expanding our habitations to find ourselves living among them! I used to live in Edinburgh but never saw a badger there (not that I can remember), but there's been a couple of you that have been spotting badgers right in the heart of the city. </p>

<p>Another thing that has really stuck out is the number of people writing in to tell us stories that blow badgers' reputation of being gentle woodland creatures right out of the water! Other than worms and the young rabbits that we saw on the programme being dug out of their nesting chamber, you've been telling us about some of their other surprising dietary addition. </p>

<p>Hedgehogs, chickens, turkeys, bees and possibly even lambs have all been on the menu and reported by people around the country. When you think about it, it's not so surprising - they are large powerful mustelids, a family of animals that specialise hunting other animals!</p>

<p>Over the last couple of weeks filming in Essex I often saw badgers and foxes both scavenging scraps from the streets. From what I saw they seemed to completely ignore each other - neither of them keen to interact or get too close to one another. I've heard of fox and badger cubs being seen playing together but <a href="https://meleleh.pages.dev/blogs/springwatch/2009/05/have_you_seen_any_surprising_b.html#P80893668">HamiltonGrammer</a> wrote about seeing an adult fox and badger actually sharing a meal from the same foil container. </p>

<p>All I can say is they must have been well fed. I've seen a clip on the internet of a badger absolutely hammering the living daylights out of a fox that got too close to a scattering of peanuts!</p>

<p>There are lots of amazing stories that you have sent in that only remind me of how much more we have to learn about these black and white striped creatures of the night!<br />
</p>]]></description>
         <dc:creator>Gordon Buchanan <$MTAuthorDisplayName$></dc:creator>
	<link>https://meleleh.pages.dev/blogs/springwatch/2009/05/have_you_seen_any_surprising_b.html</link>
	<guid>https://meleleh.pages.dev/blogs/springwatch/2009/05/have_you_seen_any_surprising_b.html</guid>
	<category>In depth</category>
	<pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2009 18:51:28 +0000</pubDate>
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