Badger Surveys

Badgers Meles meles are a widespread and legally protected species across the UK, requiring careful consideration during land management and development. At Wold Ecology, we provide comprehensive badger surveys that identify the presence, status, and protection needs of local badger populations, ensuring projects progress lawfully and responsibly.

 

How Badger Surveys Are Carried Out

Our survey process follows current best-practice guidance and national legislation:

1. Desk Study & Initial Assessment
We begin by reviewing existing records, mapping landscape features, and assessing habitat suitability to inform the scope of on-site work.

2. Field Surveys
During a detailed site walkover, our ecologists search for evidence of badger activity, including:

• Setts (main, annexe, subsidiary, outlier)
• Latrines, feeding signs, and snuffle holes
• Paths, tracks, and hair caught on vegetation
  All setts are recorded using GPS and categorised based on activity levels.

3. Monitoring & Advanced Methods
Where required, we deploy additional methods such as:

• Camera traps to confirm occupancy or usage patterns
• Bait marking to identify territorial boundaries
• Activity monitoring to determine sett significance
  These techniques allow us to develop a robust, evidence-based understanding of how badgers use a site.

4. Reporting & Mitigation Advice
Our final survey report provides clear findings, impact assessments, and practical mitigation strategies compliant with the Protection of Badgers Act (1992) and Natural England licensing requirements.

Integrating Badgers and Development

Sustainable development and badger conservation can coexist with careful planning. Wold Ecology specialises in designing solutions that allow projects to proceed while protecting local badger populations. Typical measures include:

• Retaining key foraging areas and known movement corridors
• Establishing buffer zones around active setts to prevent disturbance
• Using directional lighting and sensitive construction methods to minimise impacts
• Installing badger-friendly fencing and underpasses where roads or infrastructure intersect badger routes
• Creating new foraging habitats to enhance long-term ecological value
• Licensing and supervised sett closure where unavoidable, following strict legal procedures

Our aim is to ensure that developments meet statutory obligations, maintain good ecological practice, and deliver positive outcomes for wildlife.