We can provide number of badger surveys, including small scale, large scale and even high profile badger surveys. In addition, we provide advice on various badger mitigation schemes. Our team quickly identifies situations where the presence of badgers or badger setts requires consideration. And finds solutions to often complex problems. Our attention to detail, investment in technology and vast experience allows us to be very competitive. We respond to enquiries same day and schedule our surveys in days (not weeks), which helps our clients to meet even very tight deadlines. Our efficiency and expertise has saved our clients lots of money!
Badger Ecology
Badgers Meles meles are one of Britain’s most recognisable mammals and can be found in both rural and urban environments. Badgers live in social groups, known as “clans”, within an underground complex of tunnels and chambers called a sett. A Sett can be as simple as a single entrance hole and chamber, or a large sprawling structure extending several tens of metres. It can incorporate multiple entrances and nesting chambers.
Badgers feed on a variety of foods including insects, worms, grain and fruit. In winter, badgers do not hibernate, although they stay below the ground and are much less active. Sows (females) generally give birth between January and March.
Badger Surveys
Abricon carries out walkover badger surveys (where we determine presence or likely absence of badgers) at any time of the year during daylight hours. We also undertake Phase 2 Badger population surveys, usually year-round using our motion triggered infa-red cameras.
The survey involves searching for evidence of badgers such as setts (main, annexe, subsidiary or outlier), latrines (dung pits) and tracks.
We undertake Badger surveys all year round, though the we gain most accurate picture of badger activity at a site between autumn and spring (avoiding the coldest months) when vegetation is sparse enough to clearly locate setts and badgers are active.
Protection and Legislation
Under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 it is an offence to:
- Wilfully kill, injure, take, possess or cruelly treat a badger or attempt to do so
- Intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to a badger sett (whether or not there is a badger in it at the time)
- Disturb a badger while it is occupying a sett
- Sell, keep or mark a healthy badger or possess any dead badger or part thereof
Licensing and Mitigation
Works which will impact upon badgers may require a derogation licence to be obtained from the appropriate statutory body prior to the start of works. A mitigation licence permits operations which would otherwise constitute an offence and will only be approved if it includes a suitable mitigation plan and is completed by a suitably experienced ecologist.
Badger survey calendar
Mitigation calendar for Badgers
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