Dr Delyth Badder
@folklorewales.com
Welsh folklorist • Author • Honorary Research Fellow, Amgueddfa Cymru • Antiquarian book collector • Rheibio'n Gymraeg • The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts (2023) • Represented by jonathanclowes.co.uk
folklorewales.com
folklorewales.com
Wishing a belated blwyddyn newydd dda from our favourite little snowed-in farmhouse in Sir Gâr ❄️
January 5, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Wishing a belated blwyddyn newydd dda from our favourite little snowed-in farmhouse in Sir Gâr ❄️
Reposted by Dr Delyth Badder
According to British #folklore ghost activities are heightened at #wintersolstice & #Christmas 👻
This new book in our collection by @folklorewales.com & @folklorepod.bsky.social presents & categorises some #Welsh #ghoststories now available in English for the 1st time!
#WelshCulture #ghosts
This new book in our collection by @folklorewales.com & @folklorepod.bsky.social presents & categorises some #Welsh #ghoststories now available in English for the 1st time!
#WelshCulture #ghosts
December 21, 2025 at 11:14 AM
According to British #folklore ghost activities are heightened at #wintersolstice & #Christmas 👻
This new book in our collection by @folklorewales.com & @folklorepod.bsky.social presents & categorises some #Welsh #ghoststories now available in English for the 1st time!
#WelshCulture #ghosts
This new book in our collection by @folklorewales.com & @folklorepod.bsky.social presents & categorises some #Welsh #ghoststories now available in English for the 1st time!
#WelshCulture #ghosts
Always a pleasure to join @owenstaton.bsky.social at the fire pit for another episode of Time Between Times.
We discuss The Welsh Fairy Book (1907) and my favourite legend.
An exciting first for TBT: this discussion is 🏴 BILINGUAL 🏴. Come for Owen’s Burton-esque tones, stay for the extra vowels.
We discuss The Welsh Fairy Book (1907) and my favourite legend.
An exciting first for TBT: this discussion is 🏴 BILINGUAL 🏴. Come for Owen’s Burton-esque tones, stay for the extra vowels.
Join @folklorewales.com and I as we discuss the Welsh Fairy book and some of the wonderful tales within on the latest episode of Time between Times storytelling podcast . Be lovely to see you at the firepit
#owenstaton #storytelling #fairies
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
#owenstaton #storytelling #fairies
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Time between Times Storytelling with Owen Staton. The Wonders of the Welsh Fairy book with Dr Delyth Badder
Podcast Episode · Time Between Times Storytelling with Owen Staton · 16/11/2025 · 42m
podcasts.apple.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Always a pleasure to join @owenstaton.bsky.social at the fire pit for another episode of Time Between Times.
We discuss The Welsh Fairy Book (1907) and my favourite legend.
An exciting first for TBT: this discussion is 🏴 BILINGUAL 🏴. Come for Owen’s Burton-esque tones, stay for the extra vowels.
We discuss The Welsh Fairy Book (1907) and my favourite legend.
An exciting first for TBT: this discussion is 🏴 BILINGUAL 🏴. Come for Owen’s Burton-esque tones, stay for the extra vowels.
Reposted by Dr Delyth Badder
It’s the ghostly part of the year… 16% of people in England today say that they have had an extraordinary experience of some kind, including witnessing the presence of a ghost. Fascinatingly, almost one in five of those people have not shared that experience with anyone, not even family or friends.
November 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
It’s the ghostly part of the year… 16% of people in England today say that they have had an extraordinary experience of some kind, including witnessing the presence of a ghost. Fascinatingly, almost one in five of those people have not shared that experience with anyone, not even family or friends.
Apparently my dulcet tones could be heard across all Global radio stations throughout yesterday discussing various Nos Galan Gaeaf traditions.
Here’s a quick excerpt from @lbc.co.uk 🎃
Here’s a quick excerpt from @lbc.co.uk 🎃
November 1, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Apparently my dulcet tones could be heard across all Global radio stations throughout yesterday discussing various Nos Galan Gaeaf traditions.
Here’s a quick excerpt from @lbc.co.uk 🎃
Here’s a quick excerpt from @lbc.co.uk 🎃
For the love of Owd Scratch, someone give this woman her own series - I could honestly listen to @g0blinegg.bsky.social wax lyrical about the restless dead all day long 👻
I'm excited to share that the latest episode of 'Gone Medieval' podcast features the Shropshire Witches! We talked about medieval ghosts and all things spooky! Teenage me would be pinching herself!
open.spotify.com/episode/303k...
#history #halloween #medieval #folklore #medievalist
open.spotify.com/episode/303k...
#history #halloween #medieval #folklore #medievalist
Medieval Hallowe'en
open.spotify.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:46 AM
For the love of Owd Scratch, someone give this woman her own series - I could honestly listen to @g0blinegg.bsky.social wax lyrical about the restless dead all day long 👻
A spooky Nos Galan Gaeaf to you all 🎃
While lacking ancient provenance, this winter’s eve was the eeriest of the ‘tair ysbrydnos’ (three spirit nights), where the veil between worlds was at its thinnest and the wind blowing over the feet of corpses bore sighs to the homes of those destined to die…
While lacking ancient provenance, this winter’s eve was the eeriest of the ‘tair ysbrydnos’ (three spirit nights), where the veil between worlds was at its thinnest and the wind blowing over the feet of corpses bore sighs to the homes of those destined to die…
October 31, 2025 at 8:41 PM
A spooky Nos Galan Gaeaf to you all 🎃
While lacking ancient provenance, this winter’s eve was the eeriest of the ‘tair ysbrydnos’ (three spirit nights), where the veil between worlds was at its thinnest and the wind blowing over the feet of corpses bore sighs to the homes of those destined to die…
While lacking ancient provenance, this winter’s eve was the eeriest of the ‘tair ysbrydnos’ (three spirit nights), where the veil between worlds was at its thinnest and the wind blowing over the feet of corpses bore sighs to the homes of those destined to die…
Reposted by Dr Delyth Badder
I hope fans of stiles know that they are notorious for attracting ghosts and malevolent spirits on Halloween, as such creatures are drawn to boundary lines. Many mentions in @folklorewales.com book on Welsh ghosts!
October 31, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I hope fans of stiles know that they are notorious for attracting ghosts and malevolent spirits on Halloween, as such creatures are drawn to boundary lines. Many mentions in @folklorewales.com book on Welsh ghosts!
Roedd hi’n tu hwnt o braf cael siarad am rhywbeth twtsh yn wahanol efo Aled Hughes ar BBC Radio Cymru ddoe - llên y milod ac ofergoelion bwystfilaidd.
Here’s an interview for BBC Radio Cymru from yesterday, all about the folklore of birds and beasts in Wales (in 🏴).
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Here’s an interview for BBC Radio Cymru from yesterday, all about the folklore of birds and beasts in Wales (in 🏴).
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Aled Hughes - Yr anifeiliaid sy'n cael eu hystyried fel argoelion - BBC Sounds
Delyth Badder sy'n trafod tylluanod, sgwarnogod a draenogod gydag Aled.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Roedd hi’n tu hwnt o braf cael siarad am rhywbeth twtsh yn wahanol efo Aled Hughes ar BBC Radio Cymru ddoe - llên y milod ac ofergoelion bwystfilaidd.
Here’s an interview for BBC Radio Cymru from yesterday, all about the folklore of birds and beasts in Wales (in 🏴).
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Here’s an interview for BBC Radio Cymru from yesterday, all about the folklore of birds and beasts in Wales (in 🏴).
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
It just so happens that two further pieces of Price memorabilia have also arrived:
Another copper token Price commissioned to mark the cremation of his son in 1884.
An exceedingly rare pamphlet from an exhibition of Price’s life in 1896. Among its many strange items was his preserved right foot 🔥
Another copper token Price commissioned to mark the cremation of his son in 1884.
An exceedingly rare pamphlet from an exhibition of Price’s life in 1896. Among its many strange items was his preserved right foot 🔥
October 28, 2025 at 1:07 PM
It just so happens that two further pieces of Price memorabilia have also arrived:
Another copper token Price commissioned to mark the cremation of his son in 1884.
An exceedingly rare pamphlet from an exhibition of Price’s life in 1896. Among its many strange items was his preserved right foot 🔥
Another copper token Price commissioned to mark the cremation of his son in 1884.
An exceedingly rare pamphlet from an exhibition of Price’s life in 1896. Among its many strange items was his preserved right foot 🔥
Can’t quite believe it’s done but it’s done.
Two years of translating and unpicking (and growing a human somewhere in the middle) the most bizarre yet brilliant manifesto by Dr William Price: Gwyllllis yn Nayd.
Spoilers: these aren’t the ravings of a lunatic as previous biographers have concluded.
Two years of translating and unpicking (and growing a human somewhere in the middle) the most bizarre yet brilliant manifesto by Dr William Price: Gwyllllis yn Nayd.
Spoilers: these aren’t the ravings of a lunatic as previous biographers have concluded.
October 28, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Can’t quite believe it’s done but it’s done.
Two years of translating and unpicking (and growing a human somewhere in the middle) the most bizarre yet brilliant manifesto by Dr William Price: Gwyllllis yn Nayd.
Spoilers: these aren’t the ravings of a lunatic as previous biographers have concluded.
Two years of translating and unpicking (and growing a human somewhere in the middle) the most bizarre yet brilliant manifesto by Dr William Price: Gwyllllis yn Nayd.
Spoilers: these aren’t the ravings of a lunatic as previous biographers have concluded.
Quick stop over in Cardiff to talk The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts with the lovely staff at the National Museum this week.
Lovely to chat spooks, as always, but the highlight was getting up close and personal with Catrin here behind the scenes in the painting conservation studio. Phenomenal.
Lovely to chat spooks, as always, but the highlight was getting up close and personal with Catrin here behind the scenes in the painting conservation studio. Phenomenal.
October 23, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Quick stop over in Cardiff to talk The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts with the lovely staff at the National Museum this week.
Lovely to chat spooks, as always, but the highlight was getting up close and personal with Catrin here behind the scenes in the painting conservation studio. Phenomenal.
Lovely to chat spooks, as always, but the highlight was getting up close and personal with Catrin here behind the scenes in the painting conservation studio. Phenomenal.
Cowlyd was thoroughly checked over by a professional rehabber and given a clean bill of health before he was released.
Getting an expert on board meant we were able to release him earlier than perhaps I would have had the confidence to do had it been my decision alone - a much better outcome.
Getting an expert on board meant we were able to release him earlier than perhaps I would have had the confidence to do had it been my decision alone - a much better outcome.
October 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Cowlyd was thoroughly checked over by a professional rehabber and given a clean bill of health before he was released.
Getting an expert on board meant we were able to release him earlier than perhaps I would have had the confidence to do had it been my decision alone - a much better outcome.
Getting an expert on board meant we were able to release him earlier than perhaps I would have had the confidence to do had it been my decision alone - a much better outcome.
Bonding was something we were worried about for Cowlyd’s release. As I was the one who rescued him and fed him, he quickly became very comfortable around me, but we took great care to limit our interactions with him as much as possible. He’s a wild animal, not a novelty.
October 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Bonding was something we were worried about for Cowlyd’s release. As I was the one who rescued him and fed him, he quickly became very comfortable around me, but we took great care to limit our interactions with him as much as possible. He’s a wild animal, not a novelty.
Unfortunately birds of prey sometimes die because water is syringed into their airways by well-meaning but inexperienced rehabbers. Much easier to soak their food in the sugared water instead, which we also did.
Grisly aside: this also keeps the levels of fluff down which makes feeding them easier.
Grisly aside: this also keeps the levels of fluff down which makes feeding them easier.
October 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Unfortunately birds of prey sometimes die because water is syringed into their airways by well-meaning but inexperienced rehabbers. Much easier to soak their food in the sugared water instead, which we also did.
Grisly aside: this also keeps the levels of fluff down which makes feeding them easier.
Grisly aside: this also keeps the levels of fluff down which makes feeding them easier.
As he was dehydrated when he arrived with us, and as owls don’t drink, I also fed him sugared water via a syringe for the first few days.
BUT this is where having an understanding of anatomy comes in - this is not advisable unless you know *exactly* what you’re doing and have a compliant owl.
BUT this is where having an understanding of anatomy comes in - this is not advisable unless you know *exactly* what you’re doing and have a compliant owl.
October 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
As he was dehydrated when he arrived with us, and as owls don’t drink, I also fed him sugared water via a syringe for the first few days.
BUT this is where having an understanding of anatomy comes in - this is not advisable unless you know *exactly* what you’re doing and have a compliant owl.
BUT this is where having an understanding of anatomy comes in - this is not advisable unless you know *exactly* what you’re doing and have a compliant owl.
Initially, sick wild owls almost always have to be force-fed. I used this website👇 to learn the technique. We avoided owl burrito by having my husband hold him instead, which Cowlyd much preferred…
… though he still hated @elidirj.bsky.social.
www.barnowltrust.org.uk/picking-up-a...
… though he still hated @elidirj.bsky.social.
www.barnowltrust.org.uk/picking-up-a...
Short-term care of a wild Barn Owl - The Barn Owl Trust
www.barnowltrust.org.uk
October 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Initially, sick wild owls almost always have to be force-fed. I used this website👇 to learn the technique. We avoided owl burrito by having my husband hold him instead, which Cowlyd much preferred…
… though he still hated @elidirj.bsky.social.
www.barnowltrust.org.uk/picking-up-a...
… though he still hated @elidirj.bsky.social.
www.barnowltrust.org.uk/picking-up-a...
Owls need a varied diet, but day-old chicks (a by-product of the egg industry) are a good source. I panic-bought 250 as I had no idea how long Cowlyd would be with us. So now our outdoor freezer looks like a Boschian binfire. He was also fed any fresh mice (never rats) our neighbourhood cat caught.
October 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Owls need a varied diet, but day-old chicks (a by-product of the egg industry) are a good source. I panic-bought 250 as I had no idea how long Cowlyd would be with us. So now our outdoor freezer looks like a Boschian binfire. He was also fed any fresh mice (never rats) our neighbourhood cat caught.
Also increasing the number of perches as his strength increased so he could practice gripping / jumping from one branch to the next. He went from having a rigidly curled-up claw that I struggled to open at all to it being completely indistinguishable from his good limb within 3 weeks. We were lucky.
October 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Also increasing the number of perches as his strength increased so he could practice gripping / jumping from one branch to the next. He went from having a rigidly curled-up claw that I struggled to open at all to it being completely indistinguishable from his good limb within 3 weeks. We were lucky.
The improvised owl physio involved gently flexing and extending each talon in short bursts to avoid any distress. Three times daily. While carefully avoiding the working claw…
Felt ridiculous but it worked, and Cowlyd was thankfully a very compliant and gracious patient.
Felt ridiculous but it worked, and Cowlyd was thankfully a very compliant and gracious patient.
October 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The improvised owl physio involved gently flexing and extending each talon in short bursts to avoid any distress. Three times daily. While carefully avoiding the working claw…
Felt ridiculous but it worked, and Cowlyd was thankfully a very compliant and gracious patient.
Felt ridiculous but it worked, and Cowlyd was thankfully a very compliant and gracious patient.
I’m also a medical doctor (a red-headed pathologist who researches ghosts - yes, I’m a walking cliché), so had some transferrable skills. We probably wouldn’t have risked it if I didn’t have this background knowledge (albeit not directly owl-based). As I’ve said, safe rehab is complex and hard work.
October 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
I’m also a medical doctor (a red-headed pathologist who researches ghosts - yes, I’m a walking cliché), so had some transferrable skills. We probably wouldn’t have risked it if I didn’t have this background knowledge (albeit not directly owl-based). As I’ve said, safe rehab is complex and hard work.
We don’t have any specialist wildlife vets near here. Our local vet is a small centre that does exemplary work caring for pets / livestock, but doesn’t have the resources to care for birds of prey. I’d assumed they would pass him on to a rescue centre, but the nearest owl charity is way out of area.
October 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
We don’t have any specialist wildlife vets near here. Our local vet is a small centre that does exemplary work caring for pets / livestock, but doesn’t have the resources to care for birds of prey. I’d assumed they would pass him on to a rescue centre, but the nearest owl charity is way out of area.
Right. Apologies for the delay. Really didn’t expect so much interest in a grumpy little Welsh owl so thank you for all the kind words - I’ve loved reading some of your own rescue stories.
Lots of you had rehab-related questions so thought I’d tackle the big ones here in one looong thread… 🧵
Lots of you had rehab-related questions so thought I’d tackle the big ones here in one looong thread… 🧵
Six weeks ago, I picked up a year-old tawny owl with a broken leg off the main road near our home and dropped him off at our nearest vet.
After a few days, I received one of the most bizarre phone calls I’ve ever had, asking “So when are you coming to pick up your owl?” 🧵
After a few days, I received one of the most bizarre phone calls I’ve ever had, asking “So when are you coming to pick up your owl?” 🧵
October 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Right. Apologies for the delay. Really didn’t expect so much interest in a grumpy little Welsh owl so thank you for all the kind words - I’ve loved reading some of your own rescue stories.
Lots of you had rehab-related questions so thought I’d tackle the big ones here in one looong thread… 🧵
Lots of you had rehab-related questions so thought I’d tackle the big ones here in one looong thread… 🧵
Rehabilitating an owl is extremely time-consuming and complex, not to mention expensive. They smell, they bite, their talons are razor-sharp and they understandably hate being handled.
It’s also extremely illegal to keep wild birds of prey as pets in the UK, even if they can’t be rehabilitated.
It’s also extremely illegal to keep wild birds of prey as pets in the UK, even if they can’t be rehabilitated.
October 5, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Rehabilitating an owl is extremely time-consuming and complex, not to mention expensive. They smell, they bite, their talons are razor-sharp and they understandably hate being handled.
It’s also extremely illegal to keep wild birds of prey as pets in the UK, even if they can’t be rehabilitated.
It’s also extremely illegal to keep wild birds of prey as pets in the UK, even if they can’t be rehabilitated.
It’s important to say if you ever find an injured bird of prey, you should always contact your local wildlife charity / rehab centre before handling them.
That option wasn’t immediately available to us, but as soon as we found a professional willing to help, they were involved each step of the way.
That option wasn’t immediately available to us, but as soon as we found a professional willing to help, they were involved each step of the way.
Six weeks ago, I picked up a year-old tawny owl with a broken leg off the main road near our home and dropped him off at our nearest vet.
After a few days, I received one of the most bizarre phone calls I’ve ever had, asking “So when are you coming to pick up your owl?” 🧵
After a few days, I received one of the most bizarre phone calls I’ve ever had, asking “So when are you coming to pick up your owl?” 🧵
October 5, 2025 at 11:33 AM
It’s important to say if you ever find an injured bird of prey, you should always contact your local wildlife charity / rehab centre before handling them.
That option wasn’t immediately available to us, but as soon as we found a professional willing to help, they were involved each step of the way.
That option wasn’t immediately available to us, but as soon as we found a professional willing to help, they were involved each step of the way.