Badger Ecology & Field Signs, Pt 1

Eurasian Badgers (Meles meles) are one of the most recognisable Mammals of Northern Europe, yet many people have never had the opportunity to watch one in the wild, let alone had the opportunity to photograph them. These intriguing creatures, known for their nocturnal habits and complex social dynamics, leave behind a trail of field signs that can help us gain valuable insights into their presence and behaviors. In part 1 of short series of blogs, we give an overview of some of the most common field signs of Eurasian Badgers and how recognising these sign can help us watch and ultimately photograph them.

Setts: The Subterranean Sanctuaries

The hallmark field sign of Eurasian Badgers is the presence of setts, their underground abodes. Badger setts are intricate networks of tunnels and chambers that serve as shelter, breeding grounds, and social hubs for these fascinating Mammals.

To identify badger setts, keep an eye out for large earth mounds with multiple entrances. These mounds, known as spoil heaps, are created as badgers excavate soil while constructing or expanding their burrows. Look for fresh signs of digging around the entrances, indicating recent activity. The entrance holes typically measure 20 to 30 centimeters in diameter and display signs of wear, forming distinct paths leading to and from the sett.

A very typical Badger sett in the UK, about 50M into a mixed woodland surrounded by pasture. You can clearly see the worn path and raised spoil heaps around the sett entrances.

Spoil Heaps: Markers of Underground Activity

Spoil heaps are a direct result of badgers excavating tunnels and chambers within their setts. These mounds of displaced soil, found near the sett entrances, provide significant clues about badger presence and recent activity.

Identifying spoil heaps involves recognizing accumulations of fresh soil that appear different from the surrounding area. These mounds often exhibit signs of disturbance and may feature footprints, claw marks, or hair entangled within the soil. Keep in mind that active setts tend to have larger and more pronounced spoil heaps compared to abandoned or lesser-used setts.

In the Spring and early Summer you will often see old bedding (such as straw) in the spoil heap of an active sett. The adult Badgers change bedding more regularly at this time to help keep the setts clean and disease free whilst the young cubs are underground.

Latrines: Signposts of Territory

Badger latrines or dung pits are communal sites where badgers deposit their feces, serving as important markers of territorial boundaries and social communication within the badger community.

Look for shallow pits with concentrated accumulations of droppings. The pits are typically about a fist deep and 1-2 fists in diameter. Badger dung varies in colour and consistency, dependent on what they have been eating, so they can look black and runny (earthworms), full of pips or cherry stones (fruit), or even quite firm, more akin to a Red Fox Scat. Latrines are used communally by all clan members with latrines found along territorial boundaries used more frequently (to reinforce the clan ownership), but you will also find latrines near setts, or other key locations within their home range (for example, feeding grounds).

Claw Marks & Feeding Signs: A Silent Language

Claw marks and scratches play a crucial role in badger communication, conveying information about territory and dominance. These marks are often found on tree trunks, fence posts, rocks and other semi vertical surfaces within their range.

Examine trees and posts for distinctive claw marks. Badgers possess sharp claws and make deep scratches, often accompanied by scent marking. These marks may appear more frequently during the breeding season when competition for mates and territories intensifies. By observing claw marks, we can gain insights into the presence and activity of badgers in the area.

I found this piece of chalk on the Sussex downs, which was close to an old disused Badger sett. As you can see the soft rock has been repeated clawed, leaving the straight claw marks distinctive of a Badger.

Observing the feeding signs of Eurasian badgers provides valuable information about their foraging behavior and dietary preferences. These opportunistic omnivores consume a variety of food sources, including earthworms, insects, small mammals, fruits, and vegetation.

Look for areas with disturbed soil, particularly in grassy fields or woodland edges. Badgers use their powerful forelimbs and long claws to dig for earthworms and grubs, leaving behind distinctive cone-shaped holes in the ground. These feeding signs, known as "badger digs," are often scattered across an area, indicating their active search for prey.

This is a recently excavated wasp nest. The area was strewn with pieces of broken nest which the Badgers had broken into to extract the wasp grubs.

In addition to digging, badgers may leave traces of feeding on fruits and vegetation. They may uproot plants, nibble on berries, or leave partially eaten fruits behind. Observing these feeding signs can help determine the badgers' favored food sources and their impact on local ecosystems.

Hair on Barbed Wire Fences: Traces of Passage

Barbed wire fences can inadvertently capture valuable evidence of badger presence. Eurasian badgers have dense and coarse fur, and finding their hair caught on barbed wire fences serves as a significant clue.

Badger hair is unlike any other animal hair in the UK, both in terms of its look and feel. If you roll a strand between your forefinger and thumb you feel a distinctly square edge to it.

Inspect fences for strands of hair entangled in the barbs. Badger hair is typically banded white, grey(ish) and black in color and exhibits a coarse texture. Often the places where Badgers regularly pass under wire fences will exhibit a depression in the grass or a regular worn path. As a general rule, if there is a distinct worn path under a wire fence surrounding a field or pasture with hair caught on the wire, there is a fair chance that this is a regularly used run to a favoured feeding site.

Paths and Footprints: Following the Footsteps

Another valuable indicator of Eurasian Badger presence is the network of paths and trails they create during their nightly excursions. These paths, often referred to as "Badger runs," offer further insights into their movements and territorial boundaries.

Identifying Badger Runs:

- Look for well-trodden paths through vegetation, particularly in grassy areas or along woodland edges. Badgers tend to follow consistent routes between their setts, feeding areas, and other significant locations within their territory.

- Badger runs typically display signs of regular use, with compacted soil or flattened vegetation. The width of these paths is usually around 10 to 20 centimeters, reflecting the size of a badger's body.

- Keep an eye out for droppings or urine marks along these trails, as badgers often use them to communicate and mark their presence.

A typical badger run up and over a bank, across a sunken track, and into the woodland on the other side. This one is used infrequently (you can tell as there is still foliage growing on the path which is often all but absent in ones used nightly).

Finding Badger Runs:

- Explore areas in close proximity to Badger setts, as Badger runs frequently radiate from these underground sanctuaries. Sett entrances are often connected to the surrounding landscape via well-defined paths.

- Look for intersecting paths or junctions, where Badgers may encounter other badgers or mark their territories. These intersections can be particularly informative for understanding social dynamics and territorial boundaries.

When observing Badger runs, exercise caution and respect their habitats. Avoid walking directly on the paths to minimize disturbance and the potential spread of disease. Remember that badgers are primarily nocturnal animals, so your best chances of finding fresh tracks and signs along their runs are during dusk or dawn.

Badger footprints typically have a square “heft” to them that you don’t see with other wildlife. When searching for tracks look after rain near to muddy gateways, paths, banks and other areas where the Badgers may have passed. On muddy banks don’t forget to look for their characteristic claw marks as they scramble to get a foot hold.

Conclusion

By expanding our knowledge of the field signs left by Eurasian Badgers, we gain a deeper understanding of their behavior, habitats, and presence in the wild. By exploring areas around setts and paying attention to intersecting paths, we can uncover clues about their social dynamics and interactions. Whilst deciphering the language of claw marks, and discovering the communal latrines provide valuable insights into the social dynamics of badgers, and traces of feeding activities shed light on their foraging habits and dietary preferences. Recognising Badger runs and deciphering their patterns adds another layer of insight into their movements and territorial boundaries.

Remember to approach badgers with respect and care, ensuring that your observations do not disrupt their natural behaviour or habitat. By appreciating and protecting these remarkable creatures, we can contribute to their conservation and the preservation of Northern Europe's rich biodiversity. Keep your distance, and avoid any interference of the Badgers or their setts (it’s illegal to do so and totally unjustified) . Remember, when observing wildlife or their field signs, it is essential to prioritize the well-being and conservation of wildlife.

So, next time you venture into your local patch, keep your eyes peeled for the subtle signs left behind by Eurasian badgers, for they hold the key to understanding and cherishing these enchanting inhabitants animals.

Next month, In part 2 of this mini series, we take a closer look at Badger ecology including their lifecycle, social structure and relationship between family members, foreign clans, and other wildlife.