Id guide instructions

Transcription

1 Instructions Id guide instructions 1. Cut out each page at a time to avoid confusion - follow the blue line You should have four squares from each page. 2. All the pictures are labelled A-X 3. So that the information is easier to find when flicking through, stick them together as follows. Front page (you may want to put things to remember on the other side) A sticks on to B C sticks on to D E sticks on to F Back cover - Scottish Badgers logo You will need: Glue sticks Laminator/sticky back plastic Hole punch Keyring hook - supplied Wool or string - handle Adult supervision - help with the laminator Picture one side and information on the other And so on until you get to the end. It is up to you where you put: the things to remember part and contact details, you can choose which order you have the guide in as well - it is your id guide to use when we are out. 4. Lay your id guide on the laminator/sticky back plastic (feed through the laminator/smooth down the sticky back plastic) You may need help with this! 5. Using the hole punch, put a hole in the top corner. 6. Repeat steps 1-6 for each page 7. Push the key ring hook through so that all pages are held together. 8. Using wool or string make a handle to carry your guide Well done you know have a handy id guide to take with you during your next badger survey!

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3 A B Signs that badgers have been FEEDING in the area: SNUFFLING: badgers use their snout to root out worms and insects. They leave a SNUFFLE HOLE in the ground. Snuffle holes look as if someone has plucked a paper cup out of the ground! Snuffle Hole Signs that badgers have been FEEDING in the area: DIGGING: Badgers DIG out insects, bulbs and roots to eat. Signs of badger digging C D

4 E F BADGER PATHS: Badgers travel throughout their territories along well-used paths. They use the same paths faithfully over generations. Badger paths are about 15cm wide. Because badgers are heavy animals, and they use the same paths every day, the paths are normally padded down to the bare ground with no grass growing on the path. Look at the photos over for top tips on spotting badger paths. Badger Paths Badger dung: Does not smell too unpleasant, with a slightly chemical smell. You can also tell what the badger has been eating by looking at its dung e.g. cherry stones, bits of beetle and crops can be identified at a quick glance! Badger Dung Fox scat on top of rock G Otter spraint TOP TIP: Make sure you don t confuse badger dung with the dung of other mammals e.g. fox, dog, otter or rabbit! H

5 I J BADGER FOOTPRINTS Badgers footprints have a kidney-shaped pad with five toes pointing upwards, as shown below. You ll find badger foot prints on muddy or sandy parts of badger paths and around sett entrances. Badger Print Dog Print TOP TIP: Make sure you don t confuse badger footprints with the footprints of other mammals such as dog, fox and otter! Fox Print Otter Print K L

6 M N BADGER HAIR You might find badger hair caught on a fence line, where a badger path passes under a fence and goes out into a field. You might also find it at sett entrances or caught on plants or tree bark close to badger paths. Badger hair is about 10cm long and is banded with black and white. Badger hair caught in a fence The badger sett Don t forget the roll test to make sure it is a badger hair THE BADGER SETT All this detective work should lead you to the BADGER SETT. The first thing you ll see will be large heaps of soil at the sett entrances, known as SPOIL HEAPS. These large mounds of soil have been dug out from below ground to make the underground tunnels and chambers of the sett. O P

7 Q R WHAT MAKES A SPOIL HEAP A BADGER SPOIL HEAP? Soil with old bits of bedding material and badger hair mixed in. Spoil heap The Sett A D-shape on its side, about 20cm wide and about 15cm tall The sett entrance S T

8 U V Mammal Detectives Surveying Guide This guide will help you spot the signs of badger activity and help you to find the sett. Things to remember: 1. Never disturb a badger sett 2. Keep any noise to a minimum - the badgers are trying to get some kip 3. Never stay at the sett longer than needed, and always leave early. 4. Avoid walking on any badger paths, across the top of the sett or near any entrances. 5. REMEMBER THIS IS THEIR HOME -TREAT IT WITH RESPECT! Report any badger sightings dead or alive to: Ian@scottishbadgers.org.uk W X

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