Biology students from Aberdeen University Conservation Society shared an afternoon with a member of SSEN's environmental team to learn about one of Scotland's most widespread but rarely seen protected species.
Badgers are a social species and live together in family groups often referred to as 'clans' in underground structures called 'setts'. They are one of the protected species encountered most frequently by SSEN during construction and maintenance works meaning that its environmental team have plenty of experience when it comes to identifying signs of the mammal and ensuring SSEN mitigates the impact of its activities on the species.
Alistair Watson, an Environmental Advisor based at SSEN's office in Aberdeen, guided the students around examples of the four different types of badger setts and supported the students to put theory into practice as they looked for further evidence of badgers and of other animals which sometimes also occupy the sets.
Alistair was able to spend time with the Aberdeen University Conservation Society through SSEN's 'Be the Difference' programme which encourages each of its employees to take a day away from their usual job to give their time and skills to help support schools, charities, organisations and schools.
Alistair explains more:
"At SSEN, we seek to bring about positive environmental outcomes through our projects and badgers are one of the species that we come across most regularly."
"I really enjoyed the opportunity to share my knowledge about Scotland's largest surviving land carnivore with the students and during our outing they found, identified and interpreted badger paths, footprints, claw marks, hairs feeding signs and bedding material."
Second year Biology Student Patrick Neville from the Aberdeen University Conservation Society, added:
"We felt privileged to have spent time with Alistair. As individuals who are both biology students and conscientious about the state of the environment, we believe that our outing to observe field signs of badgers was important for our personal and professional development."
If you are not-for-profit organisation or group and could use SSEN volunteers for a specific project that can be completed in a day or so contact us to see how we can Be the Difference for you. To find out more information, clcik here.