Artificial Badger Setts

Keystone has the proven capacity and experience necessary to create artificial Badger setts either to a pre-ordained design or to our own specification designed to meet our clients' needs. Our in-depth knowledge of Badger ecology ensures we create structures with the highest chance of successful colonisation and we are well versed in the techniques used to attract badgers to a newly created sett. Keystone provides bespoke design and fabrication of Badger nest chambers, tunnels and entrances that closely mimic the functionality and layout of a natural main sett. When designing and installing artificial Badger setts great attention is given to the conditions, physical characteristics and site constraints to ensure that the sett provides favourable conditions to encourage Badger colonisation.

Badger Sett Closure

Closure of active Badger setts can only be undertaken under licence and within the period 1 July to 30 November. The closure of main Badger setts is permitted only in exceptional circumstances and it is necessary to prove colonisation of a replacement main Badger sett prior to closure of the existing sett. At Keystone we are able to obtain the necessary permit for all Badger sett closures and thereafter carry out the following to achieve successful sett closure:

• installation of Badger exclusion gates
  
• installation of Badger exclusion fencing
  
• laying of trails to entice Badgers to colonise new setts
  
• monitoring of existing and/or new Badger setts
  
• Badger sett destruction by hand or using machinery
  

Supervision of Licensed Badger Works

Where licenses have been issued for works that would otherwise constitute disturbance to badgers we can supply staff to supervise contractors and ensure they adhere to the licence conditions.

To ensure Badger mitigation schemes or conservation driven projects are created in accordance with specified designs we are able to provide staff with combined ecological and engineering knowledge to supervise our clients' contractors.

Badger Fencing and Tunnels

To ensure successful integration of Badgers within hard landscapes we are able to install temporary and permanent badger exclusion fencing, Badger tunnels and badger corridors. Schemes include highways, rail, residential/commercial development, utilities, conservation projects and mineral extraction, amongst others.