Badger Latrine?

[shirl]

Could someone confirm whether this is a badger latrine, I can't really think of anything else. It's a roughly dug pit which has been extended, spotted it a couple of weeks ago and it is still being used. Each time I pass there are fresh droppings and I have to say it's beginning to get rather full! It is at the side of a dis-used railway line, below a tree, limestone wall directly behind it surrounded by limestone pasture / outcrops with some trees.

Shirl

[valleyforge]

Yes ... that's pretty much what a badger latrine looks like.

The faeces differ, of course, depending on what the badgers have been eating ... these are rather soft and muddy with no obvious hard inclusions, probably indicating a diet mostly of earthworms.

[shirl]

Many thanks, think you are right about the diet, there are rather alot of earthworms even on the trackbed - accompanied by lots of blackbirds of course. I will have a look round for any obvious setts next time I am there.

Shirl

[Squirrel1970]

Just recently, I found what I assumed was the start of a badger sett.. however, it turned out to be just a stopping spot, but nearby was two neatly dug latrines. Since making that discovery, I've noticed dig marks around here - which means that they're nearby.
I've *never* seen a real badger and I'm excited because this is the nearest I've got to one. I live bordering woodland, so I guess it's no surprise that sooner or later, badger activity would register on my radar

It's great when you know you've found something like a hole, dig marks or even a latrine because you know that sometimes, if it's a bad area, most won't hang around long enough to poop, let alone do anything else! So, I'd consider it a good sign

[shirl]

I will post a reply if I do find a sett, there may be track leading from the adjacent field over a stone wall and down the bank so that's a good starting point. That's quite close to this latrine as well, the latrine has been there a couple of weks and each time I pass it - it's grown, so they are still using it regularly.

Shirl

[Bumblebeebob]

I came across what must have been a Badger latrine at the weekend, it was mostly filled with Yew berries. The track where the Badger Setts are situated is lined with old Yew trees. I'm not sure what goodness they derive from Yew berries as it seemed mostly undigested! I assume they are immune from the toxins? The setts themselves have been heavily excavated recently so I can only assume they are expanding their network. They have dug out masses of chalk & flint.