Rachel Bigsby films Badgers for Sir David Attenborough's Landmark BBC Series, Wild Isles

Wildlife photographer and Badger Trust Ambassador, Rachel Bigsby recently contributed to the landmark BBC natural history series Wild Isles, narrated by Sir David Attenborough and produced by Silverback Films.

Drawing upon years of specialist field experience and an intimate understanding of a wild European Badger clan in Sussex, Rachel worked alongside acclaimed wildlife cameraman Simon King to help capture one of the series' most enchanting sequences: Badgers and their cubs moving among a carpet of spring bluebells.

A European Badger sits atop its soil heap in an ancient woodland of Bluebells.

For five years prior to filming, Rachel had dedicated countless hours to observing and photographing the clan within an ancient Sussex woodland. Her patient approach allowed her to develop an exceptional understanding of the animals' behaviour, individual habits and sensitivity to human presence, establishing the foundations for a photographic project that would eventually reach a national audience.

When Silverback Films approached Rachel about filming at the location, she was initially hesitant to reveal a place and population she had worked so carefully to protect. However, recognising the opportunity to bring greater public attention to Britain's native wildlife and the challenges facing the Badger’s survival, she agreed to support the production.

Over ten days of filming, Rachel worked closely with Simon King, sharing her knowledge of the badgers' movements, behaviour and preferred routes through the woodland. Working from a carefully concealed hide, the pair spent long afternoons and evenings waiting for the animals to emerge naturally, with Rachel's fieldcraft and understanding of the clan proving instrumental in achieving the sequence.

A European Badger makes its way through an ancient woodland of Bluebells.

Rachel's imagery from the Wild Isles shoot subsequently featured in promotional coverage for Wild Isles, including BBC News, Radio Times and BBC Countryfile magazine, while her contribution to the production was recognised in the programme's credits. Her photographs were also produced for the accompanying Wild Isles book and associated publicity.

For Rachel, the experience represented far more than a significant professional achievement. As a Badger Trust ambassador and longstanding advocate for Britain's wildlife, the project reflected her belief that meaningful storytelling begins with patience, trust and a responsibility to the animals being documented. Her involvement demonstrated the value of sustained field observation in wildlife filmmaking and photography, where an understanding of individual animals and their environment is as important as the technical expertise behind the camera.

A female European Badger named ‘Luna’, of significance to Rachel.