Case Study

Badger Bait Marking Survey

Habitat Works delivers a range of specialist badger surveys to support ecological assessment and inform development planning where protected species constraints are present.

In Spring 2026, our ecology team completed a programme of bait-marking surveys on a major infrastructure project, providing detailed insight into badger territorial behaviour, sett use, and landscape connectivity. Due to the sensitivity of the species and project requirements, site locations remain confidential.

Bait-marking is a highly effective and widely used method for understanding badger social structure and territory use, particularly during peak activity periods in spring. The approach provides a robust evidence base to support ecological mitigation and project design.

Badger populations often occupy complex and overlapping territories across fragmented landscapes, with multiple setts and associated features present within relatively small areas. For infrastructure and development projects, understanding these spatial relationships is critical to ensure compliance with wildlife legislation and to avoid unintended impacts on protected species. The challenge on this recent project was to accurately define territory boundaries, feeding areas and sett relationships across multiple social groups, while working within a large and environmentally sensitive survey area.

  • Delivery of spring bait-marking surveys during peak territorial activity period.
  • Mapping of badger clan territories, feeding areas and movement corridors.
  • Identification of interactions and boundary overlaps between social groups.
  • Use of ESRI ArcGIS Field Maps for real-time spatial data capture.
  • Confirmation of sett associations and classification of social groups.
  • Provision of evidence to support development design and ecological mitigation planning.

Scope of Works

Our ecology team delivered a structured bait-marking programme following established best practice guidance (Harris, 1989; Delahay, 2000), and internal methodology developed for consistency across large-scale projects. Surveys were undertaken during peak territorial activity between late February and April to maximise effectiveness.

Prior to entering site, surveyors completed full inductions, weekly briefings and site-specific risk assessments, ensuring awareness of any changes to conditions, access arrangements or health and safety requirements. All fieldwork was undertaken in pairs, with appropriate first aid cover in place at all times, and strict lone working restrictions applied.

Bait was prepared off-site using a standardised mixture of peanuts, molasses and coloured pellets, with colours assigned to specific setts prior to survey commencement to ensure consistency throughout the programme. Field deployment typically involved 25–30 bait drops per sett, placed in accordance with agreed sett locations recorded within GIS systems.

Surveyors navigated to setts using pre-loaded ESRI ArcGIS Field Maps, supported by land access layers, PRoWs and agreed access routes. Daily Point of Work Risk Assessments (PoWRA) were completed on arrival at site to capture any changing conditions or emerging risks.

Following bait deployment, systematic searches were undertaken across a 1km radius to identify latrines and dung pits. These were prioritised according to sett classification (main, high priority and low priority areas), with dung carefully examined using appropriate tools and PPE to identify the presence of coloured markers.

All records were captured directly within Field Maps, supported by photographic evidence and robust QA procedures. Data was reviewed daily to ensure completeness and accuracy prior to submission for quality assurance.

Biosecurity procedures were followed throughout, including cleaning of footwear and vehicle tyres at both entry and exit points, and strict controls were in place to ensure safe working practices across all field operations.

This recent programme of bait-marking surveys provided high-quality spatial data on badger activity, enabling a clear understanding of territorial structure and sett use across a complex landscape. Our continued delivery of bait-marking surveys demonstrates strong technical capability in specialist protected species work, combining field expertise with robust GIS-based data collection and rigorous methodology.