Badger with a story – In the Oeverlanden

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In the summer of 2022, a unique find was observed in the Oeverlanden. At the edge of the driveway they found an European badger (Meles Meles). The badger was already dead and most likely hit by a car. Badgers have never before been observed in the Oeverlanden, which makes the discovery of the badger very special.

Female badger

After observation it turns out to be a female who had completely eaten herself with blackberries. The female badger was quite young: 2 to 3 years old. According to sources, badgers live to be around 15 to 16 years old in the wild, but the average age is around 5 years because the species is regularly hit by cars.

Source: De Oeverlanden Blijven!

How does the badger live?

The badger belongs to the mustelid family and is one of the largest land predators in the Netherlands. It is a nocturnal animal that leaves the burrow (gait system with several tunnels) at sunset and goes in search of food. They eat almost anything, but mainly search among the grass for worms, forest fruits, tubers, mushrooms and much more. The eyes of the badger are adapted to the dark, because they see minimally in daylight. The eyes are small, and it mainly uses its nose and ears for looking for food and guarding its territory.

The largest population of badgers lives in the Veluwe, North Brabant and South Limburg. There are around 12,000 badgers in the Netherlands. In 2022, 40 badgers were observed in North Holland with the help of observations.nl.

In the field study center

The association “De Oeverlanden Blijven!”, with which Natuurkampen cooperates, was interested in having the tie put on. The female badger is used for nature and environmental education at the field study center de Oeverlanden. The badger is now prepared in the field study center and is the showpiece of the collection.

Source: De Oeverlanden Blijven!

The 4 mushroom tips for in the field

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It’s autumn… It’s time to look for mushrooms! Damp autumn weather is the ideal time to look for and identify mushrooms. We have set up a video with a number of tips so that you are sure to be successful. Watch the video here! Which species have you spotted?

1 Look below, above or on old tree trunks

Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of a fungus. Several fungal threads are attached to the mushroom that run underground or tree bark. You can compare the mushroom with an apple (fruit) on the apple tree. The fungus clears up old material, such as broken tree trunks. That’s why it’s the place to find mushrooms!

2 Search near deciduous trees such as alder and oak

About half of the native mushroom species occur in deciduous forests. Forests with deciduous trees contain relatively less litter and vegetation, which is a favorable environment for many species.

A Xylaria hypoxylon on a black alder

3 Use a mirror and magnifying glass

A mirror is a handy gadget that helps you identify the mushroom. By holding the mirror under the cap of the mushroom you can sometimes see pictures or tubes (depending on the species). The tracks are in these inner walls. For example, a boletus does not have plates but holes, such as porcini mushrooms. You can also use the magnifying glass to get a better look at the details of the mushroom.

4 Bring a search card or download ObsIdentify

A search map is a handy tool that helps you identify the mushroom. Using questions, such as are there holes under the hat, will help you find the right kind. You can order the mushroom search card via our website. Is the species not on the map? Then use ObsIdentify. You take a number of photos of the species, then the app tells you which species it most likely is (with a percentage). Check whether the species is correct by means of a mushroom guide.

Did you know that we also offer mushroom excursions for young and old? At the beginning of this month, Paul organized a mushroom activity with Vrijeschool Kairos! Send us an email for more information about a mushroom field trip.

Heat wave: 4 tips to give nature a helping hand!

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It is WARM, so warm that the nature around us is struggling. We have set up 4 tips to give the plants and animals a helping hand during this heat wave! Just from your own garden…

1. Give the animals some water

Give the wild animals in the garden water. How do you do this best? Place some bowls with water (not too deep, otherwise they can drown) in the shade. You make birds and smaller mammals such as the hedgehog very happy with this!

2. Create a shelter

Animals are looking for a shelter where they can avoid the sun. Short grass offers no shade; it dries out quickly. You can create a spot by putting down wood chips, compost or garden waste.

3. Plant plants!

Plants provide the optimal shade in the garden, and a green garden looks beautiful! The older they get, the more shade they provide and absorb CO2. So, win-win!

4. Bring on the rain!

Place a rain barrel in the garden. You collect the rainwater which you can use for many purposes, such as watering the plants. This way you save a lot of tab water.

A fun project for the future:

Who knows, you may be able to make your garden more natural and animal-friendly.

  • Place a vegetable garden with vegetables and fruit that you like;
  • Plant different kinds of flowers to attract bees and butterflies;
  • Very simple, remove some tiles and make a place for plants;
  • Swap your fence for a hedge.
  • Do not use chemical pesticides. You can do without it and it is harmful to nature!

Natuurkampen is going to renew!

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And that starts with a new logo. We came up with this new logo in collaboration with Renate Verboom .Design. Renate Verboom is a graphic designer and has contributed to the new corporate identity of Natuurkampen.

Renate: ”I like to create new designs for green companies. To make my designs even more sustainable, I donate 10% of the profit every year to a good cause.”

Curious about Renate’s web design? Then take a look at her website!

Fieldwork is Doing!

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As a foundation, we stand for fieldwork. Why do we think this is important? Students work in groups in which they set up their own research. This is done as follows: students make a research plan, collect data and write a research report or make a presentation. This stimulates their own motivation; they investigate something that they have come up with themselves.

“Postentocht”

Fieldwork is introduced during the “postentocht”, which is conducted at the start of the fieldwork project. At each location there is a supervisor or QR-video who/that shows the fieldwork techniques. The student then practices with the fieldwork materials. During the tour, students learn about abiotic (salt content) and biotic factors (animal species). It also explains what kind of research you can perform and what the best locations are for collecting the data.

Which fieldwork themes do we introduce?

There are several tests that students can perform. Each fieldwork location offers different research opportunities. Nevertheless, there are a number of main themes that are offered at all centers, these are soil, vegetation and water research. Examples of other fieldwork topics are insects, dike, birds, bats, etc.

Are you curious what such a post looks like and how the theme is introduced? Then watch the video below. Kasper, our colleague, shows you how to conduct water research!