Badger Surveys and Mitigation
Approach
An iconic species that having suffered a drastic reduction in numbers in the mid-part of the 20th Century, badger populations have bounced back and are flourishing in many parts of the UK. Since the introduction of the Badgers Act (1992) this species has re-established populations throughout the countryside and notably also within urban and semi-urban settings.
The implementation of the badgers act and appropriate mitigation is now more driven by welfare considerations than species conservation although that does still play a part in planning and decision making.
Through the experience and expertise gained from 17 years of licensed badger consultancy work we can provide practicable, working solutions to facilitate your scheme throughout both construction and operation.
Surveying
Surveys can be carried out at any time of the year although the winter months when vegetation is sparse are particularly effective at allowing the surveyor to locate setts and other field signs that can become obscured during spring and summer months.
Our surveyors will search for an record all visible field signs of badger activity, including the setts themselves, latrines, foraging areas, pathways and entry/exit points around the boundaries. All field signs are recorded either digitally or on hard copy maps with accurate six figure grid references that allow us to then present the results within a GIS and overlay with your development proposals.
It is often the case that the status of the setts (occupied or unoccupied) can be assessed during a single visit, but where this is not possible or results are ambiguous we monitor for activity over a series of subsequent visits. Monitoring includes the deployment of IR trail cameras with footage checked in the field using a laptop or tablet in conjunction with more traditional field skills.
For schemes that may be more complex and present a wider suite of potential impacts we can carry out bait marking studies to determine the territory of one or more badger social groups.
Design
There are very few situations where the presence of badger sett is a significant hindrance to development, as long as surveys are carried out in a timely manner, we can work with you to design practical measures that facilitate the progress of your project. In many situations the retention of the badgers in-situ is the more practicable solution and one that limits the likelihood of problems persisting in the future. Our licensed ecologists have a demonstrable track record of successfully retaining badger setts in urban situations whilst facilitating construction activities in relatively close proximity.
Mitigation and Consent
We can obtain consent from Natural England for all types and scales of badger mitigation measures for both purposes of development and where badgers are causing damage to land and/or buildings. Our lead badger ecologist is a Registered Consultant on Natural England’s Badger Class Licence scheme and can usually obtain consent for badger sett closures disturbance within 10 working days of an application. The application itself can be put together in only a few days once we have surveyed the site and determined the most effective course of action for you.
We can obtain consent and implement the following activities:
- Permanent sett closure – all sett classifications
- Creation of artificial setts – includes consent, design and construction
- Temporary sett closure - all sett classifications
- Partial closure - all sett classifications
- Installation of subterranean barriers – to contain activity within an area and limit damage
- Live digs – for partial sett closure or to facilitate the installation of subterranean barriers
Practical Implementation
Surveys can be carried out at any time of the year although the winter months when the vegetation is sparse are particularly effective at allowing the surveyor to locate setts and other field signs.
Bait marking survey season runs from February to end of April.
Our licensed ecologists can implement all licensable activities and we can either work with your own ground workers or bring in trusted associates of our own for the additional assistance including operation of plant.
We can supply and fit all exclusion measures including ground proofing and badger gates.
To complete the process our team can mobilise with the appropriate plant and materials to carry out any final closure measures and remediate the site afterwards.