The badger - a very clean animal

Some marks are easy to distinguish, but here’s a more difficult one - try telling the difference between a sheep and a deer - that is when further observation is needed, perhaps their droppings will help to solve the query.

The badger - a very clean animal - uses a latrine, generally in a corner of a field and often near a gateway, as it makes his or her regular nocturnal trips, the fox too marks the extent of its territory.

There are many other give-away signs.
The way a nut has been gnawed to get at the nutritious kernel, the signs of insect eating birds as they have attacked a decaying piece of wood, strips of bark beneath a Sycamore tree shows the activity of the grey squirrel.

In the Summer and Autumn the badger likes nothing better than to dig out a wasp or bees nest to get at the lovely honey.

Don't be squeamish, try a little experiment with owl pellets

Have you ever wondered what those ‘pellets’ left by an owl contain?
Do not be squeamish take a pellet home with you, (it is only regurgitated undigestible material) and let it soak overnight in an old dish to soften it.

Next day spread it out on a piece of paper, and you will marvel at what it contains, masses of hair, fur and bones, little skulls of mice and shrews, and all those bones enough to make a complete skeleton sometimes.

Go on, give it a try and you will be amazed at what can be learnt.

A good book for recognising tracks and trails?
Try Collins’ Guide to Animal Tracks and Signs, it's a bit costly at about £12.95, but Christmas is just around the corner - go on treat yourself!

If you'd like to get in touch with Tony you can email him
at devon.online@bbc.co.uk

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