Observations on the interactions of mammals and birds with badger (Meles meles) dung pits at a site used by a single social group in an urban area

Abstract

AbstractDuring a monitoring study of a single social group of badger (Meles meles) at an urban site, incidental observations were noted of mammalian and avian species feeding within and removing material from M. meles dung pits. In response to these observations, infra-red cameras were deployed at dung pits for a 10-week period to document the nature, timing and frequency of these behaviours. Cameras were triggered a total of 954 times by a total of nine mammal and 12 bird species. Harvesting of material accounted for 28 % of latrine-associated behaviours. Results may have implications for disease transmission and the efficacy of badger surveys, particularly in areas where brown rats are prevalent.