Badger Surveys
Specialist surveys to identify badger setts, assess activity, and ensure your project complies with wildlife legislation.
What This Service Involves
The European badger (Meles meles) and its setts (burrows) are protected by law in the UK. Any development or land-use change that may affect badgers, their setts or their foraging/commuting routes should be supported by a specialist survey carried out by a qualified ecologist.
Our team offers a full badger-survey service, typically including:
Our Badger Survey Process
Desk Study / Walkover
Check for signs of badger activity (setts, latrines, paths, spoil heaps) and assess habitat suitability.
Field Survey
Detailed site inspection, identifying sett types (main, annex, outlier), mapping their locations, and recording foraging/commuting routes.
Monitoring (If Required)
Where setts are present and their status needs confirmation (e.g., via bait-marking, camera traps or footprint traps) to assess territory, active use and potential mitigation need.
Report and Recommendations
A professional report summarising findings, assessing impacts of your proposed works, and recommending mitigation, licence-needs or redesign where necessary.
Licence Support
If badgers or active setts are affected then we assist with the preparation of exclusion/sett-closure licences (Natural England or appropriate statutory body) and ensure compliance with conditions.
Why You Might Need a Badger Survey
- Suitable habitat: Even if you haven't seen a badger on site, the presence of suitable habitat (woodland edges, hedgerows, farmland, grassland) means badger activity may be present and must be checked.
- Works near setts: If your development or works are close to known setts, or may disturb ground, vegetation, excavations, or route through foraging/commuting areas - then a badger survey is likely required by the planning authority.
- Legal compliance: Without adequate survey you risk planning delays, enforcement / licence non-compliance (setts are legally protected) or unanticipated redesign costs.
- Early clarity: Carrying out the survey early provides clarity and helps integrate ecological constraints into your project from the start.
What Our Badger Survey Service Includes
- Qualified ecologist site visit to inspect for setts, latrines, tracks, spoil-heaps, known badger indicators.
- Mapping of all visible badger-related features, and if necessary establishing territory via methods like bait marking or camera-trapping.
- Assessment of likely badger status and impact of proposed works (construction, clearance, earthworks) on badger ecology.
- Report including: description of survey methods, findings, mapping of badger features, impact/risks, mitigation/avoidance recommendations, whether a licence may be required.
- Support for licence applications if needed (exclusion, sett closure) and monitoring of compliance commitments.
Legislation, Policy & Good Practice
Protection of Badgers Act 1992
Protects badgers and their setts, making it an offence to kill/injure a badger, or to interfere with a sett.
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Provides additional habitat/species protection.
Good Practice Guidance
Survey protocols (walkover, monitoring, bait-marking) and integration into planning/consent regimes.
The Benefits to You
Clear Understanding
Clear understanding of badger presence, status and potential constraints on your site, helping you make informed design and budget decisions.
Due Diligence
Demonstrates due diligence and compliance to the planning authority and regulators, reducing risk of objection or condition delays.
Early Identification
Early identification of badger-related constraints means you can integrate mitigation or avoidance into your programme, helping minimise cost and delay.
Professional Reporting
Professional survey, report and recommendations ensure you're prepared for all possible ecological impacts and licensing requirements.