Badger Sett Monitoring

Our ecologists have been undertaking monitoring of several protected species recently ahead of works on major infrastructure projects, but not all of them have started with confirmed evidence or field signs. We recently undertook monitoring of some habitat that turned out to be used by badgers, despite there being no signs of badgers and plenty of otter and European beaver field signs.

The monitoring of the feature was conducted over a period of two weeks and involved the use of camera traps being set up to record animals entering or leaving the habitat, which in this case was holes under some tree roots on the river’s edge. Monitoring surveys such as this can be undertaken at any time of year but are easier when the vegetation is lower.

Our ecologists have been fortunate enough to record badgers entering and exiting the tunnels confirming that it is a badger sett and is not being used, at this time, by other species recorded in the area.

Confirming that a sett, holt or den is active is important to our clients who need to understand the importance of ecological constraints to ensure mitigation appropriate to the constraint is implemented as part of their works. Animals entering and exiting the feature confirms it is active and we have also been able to confirm that the sett is being use for breeding (although we’ll keep those videos off social media for the privacy of the badgers!).

Our ecologists have gathered as much information as we can about the movement of badgers within 250m of the sett, recording tracks frequently used by badger, smaller setts (outlier and subsidiary) and latrines indicating the edge of the territory. In addition, we have collected information about other species that will be used in developing mitigation appropriate for the site to ensure it continues to function for ecology and protected species throughout the works and after the project is completed.

We look forward to working with our client during their project and continuing to monitor the species present throughout the works.