Expert Badger Surveys For Planning & Conservation
Badgers are one of Britain’s most iconic creatures, and are protected under the badger protection act of 1992 to ensure the continued strength of their populations which positively affects the ecosystems of which they are a part of.
Living in complex underground burrow systems known as setts, badgers are highly territorial and form social groups that depend on these structures for shelter, breeding, and safety. A sett can be decades or even centuries old, with an intricate network of underground tunnels and multiple entrances in the badger’s territory.
Because badgers and their setts are legally protected, when undertaking your development or land management project you must ensure they are not disturbed or harmed. This is where a professional badger protected species survey is required.
At Ecology Consulting, we conduct detailed badger surveys to identify active setts, assess their use, and provide practical solutions to ensure your project is legally compliant while minimising its environmental impact.
Why You Should Choose Ecology Consulting For Your Badger Survey
With over 20 years of ecological expertise, at Ecology Consulting we pride ourselves on being a trusted name in the industry, working with developers, planners, and conservation organisations to deliver high-quality, legally compliant ecological surveys.
Our team comprises qualified ecologists who are members of The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and have experience obtaining the necessary Natural England badger development licences.
We are committed to providing reliable, efficient, and cost-effective ecological solutions to support your project needs.
Legal Protection For Badgers - The Badger Protection Act 1992
The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 is a crucial piece of UK legislation designed to safeguard badgers and their setts from harm, disturbance, and illegal persecution.
Under this law, it is a criminal offence to kill, injure, take, or cruelly mistreat a badger, as well as to interfere with, damage, or destroy an active badger sett.
Any work that could disturb badgers or their setts - such as construction, land development, or forestry operations - requires a licence from Natural England or the relevant conservation authority, and breaching the act can result in unlimited fines and up to six months' imprisonment.
By enforcing these protections, the act plays a vital role in preserving badger populations and ensuring their habitats remain undisturbed.
Understanding Badger Setts
In order to fully comprehend the importance of this survey, it is necessary to understand the sett systems in which badgers live, and the vital impact they have on their ecosystems that must not be tampered with.
What is a Badger Sett?
A sett is an underground network of tunnels and chambers that serves as the home for a badger clan. Badgers are highly social animals that rely on these structures for shelter, breeding, and protection from predators and environmental conditions.
Types Of Badger Setts
Badger groups maintain multiple setts within their territory, classified based on their usage and size. These include the:
- Main Sett - This is the largest and most active sett in the territory, which is usually inhabited all year round and contains several entrances, multiple chambers, and well-used paths leading to feeding areas.
- Annex Sett - This sett will be located near the main sett (within 100–200 metres) and will be used by some members of the clan but not as frequently as the main sett, meaning it may have fewer entrances and tunnels.
- Subsidiary Sett - Badgers can build multiple, smaller setts, sometimes with only 1 or 2 entrances. These are used intermittently, often as temporary resting places and are found further away from the main sett than annex setts.
- Outlying Sett - These setts are very small structures, often being only a single hole. These are used the least frequently, as a resting or hiding place. The outlying sett may be abandoned and later re-used.
Understanding the size, structure, and activity level of a sett is crucial in ensuring legal compliance before any development work can proceed.
Badgers Are Pivotal Members Of The UKs Ecosystems
Badgers play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, and their role in the environmental balance of the UK can not be overstated. They are vital for many reasons, such as:
- Natural Pest Control - As opportunistic omnivores, they help regulate insect populations by consuming large quantities of earthworms, beetles, and other invertebrates, preventing overpopulation of certain species.
- They Contribute To Soil Heath - Their digging behaviour also improves soil aeration and nutrient distribution, which supports plant growth and enhances woodland and grassland environments.
- Helping Their Habitat - Abandoned badger setts provide essential shelter for other wildlife, including foxes, rabbits, and hedgehogs.
- Plant Regeneration - By dispersing seeds through their varied diet, badgers further aid in plant regeneration and habitat diversity.
Additionally, their presence is an indicator of a balanced, thriving ecosystem, making their protection vital not just for their own survival, but for the wider natural environment they help sustain.
How To Spot Signs Of Badger Activity
Even if a sett isn’t immediately visible, you can identify badger activity through various signs, including:
- Footprints - Five-toed prints with long claw marks, often seen in soft mud or sand.
- Latrines - Small pits containing droppings, usually at territorial boundaries.
- Foraging Marks (Snuffle Holes) - Small holes in the ground where badgers dig for worms and insects.
- Pathways - Well-trodden routes leading to and from setts.
- Scratching Posts - Trees or logs with visible claw marks.
- Hair - Coarse grey hairs caught on fences or vegetation near sett entrances.
Identifying these signs is an essential part of a badger protected species survey, helping our ecologists determine sett locations and badger movement patterns.
When Is A Badger Survey Required?
A badger survey is necessary if you are planning any works that could potentially impact badgers or their setts, including:
- Construction projects (housing, roads, commercial developments)
- Forestry, tree felling, and woodland management
- Agricultural changes (fencing, drainage, land clearance)
- Quarrying, mining, or large-scale landscaping
- Infrastructure projects (pipelines, utilities, transport)
- Land sales and environmental impact assessments
If badgers or their setts are found on-site, failure to conduct a survey and obtain the necessary licences can lead to legal penalties, project delays, and significant fines.
What’s Included In Our Protected Species Badger Survey
Our comprehensive badger protected species survey follows industry best practices and consists of the following stages:
Preliminary Walkover Survey (Phase 1)
This initial assessment involves a thorough site inspection to identify key signs of badger activity, including:
- Badger setts (main, annex, subsidiary, or outlier)
- Footprints and tracks
- Latrines (territorial dung pits)
- Foraging signs (snuffle holes where badgers dig for food) Scratching posts and hairs caught on fences or vegetation
Detailed Sett Survey (Phase 2)
If evidence of badger activity is present, a more in-depth survey may be required to:
- Determine sett type and usage
- Assess sett size, tunnel networks, and entry points
- Map badger pathways and feeding grounds
- Establish territorial boundaries through bait marking studies
- Establish population estimates and sett occupancy
Camera Trap & Night Surveys (if required)
For further analysis, we can deploy infrared wildlife cameras to monitor badger activity over time. This helps our ecologists to confirm sett occupancy levels and patterns of movement, ensuring the most accurate data for mitigation planning.
Impact Assessment & Mitigation Strategy
Once badger activity is confirmed, we’ll provide detailed mitigation strategies tailored to your project’s needs, including:
- Avoidance measures to minimise disturbance
- Buffer zones around active setts
- Licence applications for sett closures or modifications
Our approach ensures that your development meets legal and environmental requirements while preserving badger populations and their habitats.
Book A Badger Survey With Ecology Consulting Today!
Whether you need a preliminary assessment or a full badger mitigation strategy, our experienced team at Ecology Consulting are here to help. We offer nationwide coverage, fast turnaround times, and expert ecological guidance to ensure your project remains compliant and progresses without delays.
For more information regarding the process and if you are in need of a protected species survey for Badgers - please contact us today.
