Are these badger Latrines in my Lawn

jimbob12345 · #1 (**permalink**) 13-06-2011, 09:17 PM

Hello

New to all this so apologies if this has been asked before

At the bottom of our garden (which backs onto woodland and a lake) I have found a number of small hollows dug in the lawn, about 20.

They dont appear to have any mess but are different from the usual rabbit holes and that they are shaped like a shallow bowl.

There are some large holes in the bottom of the garden under overhanging trees which I suspect are badger sets.

Never seen any badgers so was looking to confirm and then start to see if I can feed and spot them

Any help appreciated. These holes are recent over the past four to six weeks and dont have any 'mess' in them yet ?

Cheers

James

vole-woman · #2 (**permalink**) 14-06-2011, 07:50 AM

Certainly sounds badgery.

valleyforge · #3 (**permalink**) 14-06-2011, 08:19 AM

Hi jimbob12345,

A badger latrine is a pit dug to accomodate the communal waste of the whole badger clan, and is usually situated close by the sett entrance.

Whilst out foraging, when a badger needs to 'go', it will typically just back up to something ... tree trunk, boulder, fence post, etc. and won't dig a hole first.

If the multiple holes you have found are indeed caused by badgers, it's much more likely that they are just exploratory excavations, made whilst they've been looking for worms and grubs.

Could just be rabbit scrapes too of course, if you have them around.

bigdave60dog · #4 (**permalink**) 14-06-2011, 08:42 AM

Yeah! sounds badgery to me as well. Put your hand into the bottom of a few of the scrapes. You will soon find out. Yuck!

Dogghound · #5 (**permalink**) 14-06-2011, 07:01 PM

Sound like badger feeding sites where they dig for worms, insect larvae, rhizomes etc. Latrines are usually near the sett site, usually in smaller numbers than you describe and around the periphery of the territory and almost always contain scats.

Can you get photos?

When you say bowl I am assuming its not light sandy soil which could be suggestive of dusting bowls used by pheasants et al.

jimbob12345 · #6 (**permalink**) 15-06-2011, 06:15 AM

All,

Many thanks for the info. Will try and get some photos this evening.

They are about 20ft from the what I expect are the badger sets.

Had a wonder around last night and found two holes which I will also photo for info

Cheers all

James

STYRBJORN · #7 (**permalink**) 15-06-2011, 09:43 AM

This raises an interesting point. There have been a couple of recent threads about disturbing badgers. Apparently photographing badgers near their setts can be an offence. So what is the legal position if the sett is in your garden? Mowing the lawn might disturb them, let alone having a barbecue or a late night party!

Any ideas out there?

Ric

Burko · #8 (**permalink**) 15-06-2011, 10:30 AM

They're only latrines if they have poop in them!
I'd agree that it's badger rooting around for some grub.

bigdave60dog · #9 (**permalink**) 15-06-2011, 11:03 PM

Well did you put your hand in then?
Dave

jimbob12345 · #10 (**permalink**) 16-06-2011, 05:58 AM

All,

Not yet !!

But sat out there last night after watching for (and missing) the 'Red Moon'

I sat about 30 yards away with the binoculars and waited, and waited and waited.

Then up popped a rabbit (a regular visitor much to the dissapointment of my lawn)

So I sat watching Thumper for a while and then though 'sod it I am going in' and just about to get up and who who trot across in front of me less than 10 yards away but Mr (or Mrs) Billy Badger

I nearly let a scream of excitement but managed to stay calm.

Unfortunately, he/she disappeared off into the field next to us.

But at least it looks like the scrapings are as you all expected. Will try and get photos tonight (called on a computer fixing mission for the inlaws last night)

Cheers

James

Are bird peanuts the best treat to 'tempt' them to hang around ?