What Happens During a Badger Survey?
Badgers and their setts (underground homes) are protected by law in the UK, so it is crucial to identify their presence and understand the impact any proposed development may have on their habitat. The survey findings help inform the planning process, allowing developers and local authorities to consider alternative designs or mitigation strategies to minimise disturbance to badger populations.
Purpose of a Badger Survey
Badger surveys are often a first step in assessing a proposed development site’s ecological impact. Their primary goal is to identify signs of badger activity and to map the locations of any setts in or around the area in question. This information is then used to inform the planning process in terms of adjusting development plans or establishing mitigation strategies to minimise disturbance. In some cases, if construction is likely to disrupt a sett directly, developers may need to obtain a licence from Natural England, which allows temporary or permanent closure of a sett but only under strict guidelines.
Key Indicators of Badger Activity
Surveyors look for several distinct indicators to confirm the presence of badgers:
Footprints and Paths: · Footprints and Paths: Badgers tend to follow habitual routes, creating well-worn paths between their setts and foraging areas. Their footprints, distinguishable by the long claws on their forepaws, are often found along these trails, especially in muddy or soft ground
Guard Hairs: A careful eye can spot guard hairs, often caught on vegetation or fencing near setts. These coarse, wiry hairs are unique in structure and, under magnification, can confirm badger presence
Latrines: Badgers are creatures of habit, even in their toileting, using specific latrine pits located near the edges of their territories. These small pits help surveyors identify the boundaries of badger territories and confirm the presence of active badgers
Scratching Posts: Often found around entrances to setts or along their established paths, scratching posts are a clear sign of badger territory. Claw marks on tree trunks, fence posts, or other structures indicate where badgers sharpen their claws and mark their presence
Snuffle Holes: Badgers dig small holes when foraging, particularly when searching for earthworms or insects. These shallow, circular holes are a distinctive sign of their feeding habits, helping surveyors understand foraging patterns and food availability in the area
Timing and Techniques
Although surveys can be conducted year-round, the optimal time is during early spring or late autumn when taller vegetation doesn’t obscure paths and sett entrances. At these times, the tell-tale signs are more visible, and surveyors can more accurately assess activity levels.
Surveys can be broadly split into two categories:
Initial Walkover Surveys: These are preliminary surveys to establish whether badgers are present. Surveyors map out any signs of badger activity and assess whether further investigation is needed. If signs of a sett are found, more detailed assessments follow.
Detailed Sett Surveys: If an initial survey confirms the presence of a sett, the next step is a more focused study to understand the badger social group, sett type and structure, activity levels, and potential disturbance factors. This often includes further surveying of the wider area, mapping out sett entrances, measuring sett dimensions, and observing activity through the use of camera traps.
What Happens if a Sett is Found?
If a sett is confirmed on or near the development site, developers must consider alternative site plans to avoid direct disturbance. In situations where construction proximity might pose a risk to badgers, mitigation measures can include protective fencing around the sett area and limiting noisy activities. In cases where disturbance is unavoidable, developers may apply for a licence to close the sett – which may include provision of a replacement sett – under expert supervision and in strict adherence to legal guidelines.
Conservation and Coexistence
Badgers have adapted to various environments across the UK, from rural to increasingly urban settings. With a diet that spans from earthworms to small mammals and an ability to thrive in diverse habitats, badgers are both resilient and resourceful. Surveys provide critical data, helping planners make informed decisions that ensure the protection of badgers while facilitating responsible development. For ecologists, planners, and developers alike, these surveys underscore the importance of respecting and protecting the biodiversity that enriches the UK’s landscapes.