Hi all,
Firstly, I've not verified that I have this problem yet.
I've been informed by someone at the club that a badger (or some) have moved into a pile of earth behind my net area.
Having a nose on this site, I came up with the following article.
Being behind the nets I can forsee quite a big H&S problem. With kids having to get balls from that area.
What bothers me about the article is this bit at the end:
<quote>These include the use of heavy machinery (generally tracked vehicles) within 30 metres of an active sett, using lighter machinery (generally wheeled vehicles) within 20 metres of an active sett or light work such as hand digging or scrub clearance within 10 metres of an active sett. Licences can be issued for development activities as well as for forestry and agricultural operations, however with careful planning the need for a licence can often be avoided</quote>
I know for a fact that if there actually is a sett where I'm told then I'll be using wheeled vehicles within 20m - the sett would litterally be within 5m of the net area.
If true I can see this being a major problem.
Anyone got any advice ?
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
Hi,
Badgers being Badgers you may find that working that close the sett may well not become 'active'. You may consider that as you were there first possession is .........etc. The end of the article is the way forward. They dont like machinery etc that close.
Why do people look for problems. Got a set under our pavilion. They still have showers, players that is, there tea etc. Badgers dont go away.We still cut the grass. We live together. Just get on with it.
13 Feb 2011 by trubs
I thought I had a similar problem last year JL, funnily enough in a big pile of Earth behind our Nets. We have large Setts nearby and this certainly looked like another with a large entrance hole and very interesting to all Dogs.
Turned out to be just Rabbits though. I thought at the time that perhaps the area was a little too 'public' for Badgers to settle.
If you contact DEFRA, they will advise you about your obligations in respect of working near to a badger sett. If you have badgers in your area, you may wish to ask someone who is an 'expert' about badgers to examine the aleged site and confirm whether it is an active badger sett or not. A lot of people mistake badger setts fpr fox dens and rabbit holes. Contact to your local council or Police may identify someone who can assist with sett identification. Heavy fines can be imposed on people who 'intefere' with badger setts. Where abouts do you work, I am in North Lincolnshire and have contact who may be abvle to assist. Andy
13 Feb 2011 by eddyinfreehold Last edited 13 Feb 2011
Are you located near to woodland and know of an existing sett? If not then badgers might well be doubtful. Ideal conditions for badgers are under well forested cover on a reasonably steepish slope south facing. The holes would be at least 9 - 12 " in diameter, ie jolly big. Lots or wear and runs obvious on the surrounding grass. Also debris from one hole where they clean out the soiled bedding. Rabbit holes, typically under small trees, hedges or buildings are much smaller say 5-9" with lots of rabbit **** around the area. May help.
Gordon, it's one thing having them under the pavillion - where I guess no one goes - it's quite another having them in an area where people do go.
Eddy, I've not had chance to have a good look at the area yet. Given that badgers prefer woodland area (and there's no wood near our nets) I think it would be an odd place for them to decide to setup a sett.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
It would be interesting to know what you find. There is some good advice on badgers and the law here:
http://www.badgertrust.org.uk/DocFrame/DocView.asp?id=469
I guess if you don't have a major problem with earthworms then they may go elsewhere. If you do, there is a danger they'll trundle onto the square and scratch around. We don't have badgers but we do have loads of hedgehogs. Cause little damage and chomp endless numbers of worms. On a dewy morning their trails are all over the field.
14 Feb 2011 by Pitchcare Peter
And here -
http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/the-tales-of-mr-badger.html
Jl, i only commented because you chose to mention the working distances from a set. Well our pavillion is right next to our machine store and the drive in entrance is right next to the other end of the pavillion. We are always within a couple of meters of them. They still stay there despite all this so how much harm can be done however far away they are.
fair point Gordon.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
It may be a single old male when they get to old to mate the set tends to eject them? but they tend to use the hedgrows are you getting any dung pits in your grass this tends to happen
Robbie
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