Badger awareness for foresters

"This was a great training day that was especially helpful for newer members of staff but which strengthened everyone’s understanding of best practice.

"It also helped brush up our field skills, learning how to identify the key signs of badger activity, distinguish active setts, and recognise the differences between badger setts and fox dens.

"Given that we are seeing an increase in badger activity and presence in many of the forests we manage, it was a very helpful, enjoyable and timely training day."

Several setts were visited across contrasting landscapes, from dense woodland to open hill, to compare and contrast sett features and illustrate how terrain influences animal behaviour.

The development day also addressed the buffer zones required around fox, badger, and otter habitats, discussing how best to plan ground preparation, woodland creation, and fencing in ways that safeguard these protected species.

It is illegal to harm badgers or their setts. However, in some circumstances land managers can be granted a licence (issued by NatureScot) to carry out actions that would otherwise constitute an offence.