European Badger
European Badger
Meles Meles
Badgers are the largest terrestrial predator in the UK and among the country’s most recognisable mammals. Noted for their distinctive black-and-white facial markings and stocky build, they use powerful forelimbs to excavate for food and to create and maintain their distinctive burrows, known as setts.
The European badger (Meles meles) is widespread across the UK, found in woodlands, hedgerows, pasture, parkland and increasingly in suburban areas, with higher densities in England and Wales and lower numbers in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland; they live in communal underground sett systems - sometimes extensive, multi-entranced burrows - occupied by social groups that maintain and expand setts over generations.
Omnivorous and opportunistic, badgers forage mainly at night for earthworms (a staple of their diet), beetles and other invertebrates, supplemented by small mammals, fruits, cereals and garden food when available.
A badger survey may be required for development or land‑use change because setts and breeding individuals are protected under UK law. Works that damage, destroy or disturb setts can be a criminal offence; identifying sett locations and understanding badger activity helps inform mitigation, licensing and timing of works to avoid legal breaches and reduce ecological impact.
When might I need a Badger Survey?
A badger survey is needed when planned works could disturb badgers, their setts or commuting routes, which commonly includes any development or land‑use change affecting woodland, hedgerows, scrub, pasture or garden habitat; activities that involve excavation, earthworks, demolition, drainage works, tree felling, or the erection of buildings; and where planning authorities or ecological consultants identify records or suitable habitat within or adjacent to a site.
Under UK law the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 makes it an offence to interfere with a badger sett, so surveys are required early in the project lifecycle - typically during pre‑application ecological appraisal or prior to demolition and groundworks to determine presence, sett locations and whether mitigation, timing restrictions or a licence from Natural England (or the relevant statutory nature conservation body) will be necessary.
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