Badgers

Bluebell Ecology can assist with badger surveys, mitigation and licensing

How we can help you

With 10 years experience our licensed ecologist will undertake a preliminary walkover survey of the to identify evidence of potential badger setts and to determine whether it is in use. 

'European Protected Species License'

If works are to occur within within close proximity to an active badger sett and the badger sett is likely to be destroyed, or there is a potential for disturbance a license may be required.
Bluebell Ecology will assist with the application to the Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation, which in England is Natural England, to issue the license under the Habitats Regulations that will fully comply with the law. Licenses can be sought for disturbing setts or, where necessary, closing and destroying setts.

Badger Mitigation 

A bat mitigation strategy is often required, as part of a 'European Protected Species License' application, to present a combination of measures that aim to avoid, cancel, reduce or offset impacts caused by development. Bluebell Ecology can assist with creating ecological solutions for replacement setts and new habitat. 
Additional Services
  • Badger sett exclusion
  • Ecological clerk of works
  • Post Development Monitoring
  • Habitat design 
  • Advice on badger sett mitigation strategies
Please contact us for more information or to arrange a quote.
Badger Distribution:
Although badgers are widespread across the UK their numbers are heavily affected by high mortality from road traffics incidents. It is estimated that half of their numbers are killed each year. 

Badger Habitat:
Badgers rely on a wide range of natural habitats, these include:
  • deciduous woods
  • copses 
  • hedgerows 
  • open cultivated land
A well-established Sett is unmistakable. 
A badgers settharacteristics include:  
  • 3 to 10 entrances, but can go up to 50 entrances.
  • Entrance holes are at least 25 cm wide which are considerably larger than rabbit holes.
  • Outside each entrance can be a pile of earth which includes dried plant material such as grass, straw or hay. This is old bedding which has been discarded.
Badger legislation:
Badgers are afforded strict protection under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
It is therefore an offence to:
  • Deliberately kill, injure or take a badger (or attempt to do so).
  • Cruelly ill-treat a badger.
  • Dig for a badger.
  • Intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy a badger sett, or obstruct access to it.
  • Cause a dog to enter a badger sett.
  • Disturb a badger when it is occupying a sett.
Please choose from our other protected species surveys that we offer below: