Badgers and bales

A fine afternoon and after I dropped off some fresh veg for a friend I went to check out the silage bales, still sitting, black and shiny in the field where they were wrapped last year.

My interest in them lay in the strange fungus often to be found growing out of small holes in the plastic: split gill. It has a curious coralline structure and other peculiarities such as the fact that it can dry out completely and rehydrate into life again. It's become widespread since the introduction of plastic-wrapped bales, possibly thriving on the warmth generated by the fermentation of the grass inside.

There were some  but my attention was distracted by the paw prints alongside - a badger's! This hillside is badger central, their snuffle holes are everywhere and their paths criss-cross  the slope. But why would they climb on to a silage bale?  I couldn't think of a good explanation.

In the hedgerow the badger setts show signs of occupation. Badgers are assiduous housekeepers and clean out their bedding regularly especially during the breeding season. At one entrance a ball of dry grass showed where  nest material had been ejected. (Extra) It must be cosy for the cubs inside. They won't be able to climb on bales for a while yet.