The group has now built a number of artificial setts, including the one in which Jack and Jill were released in August 1998 (see the Jack and Jill Page). Back in 2002 we constructed an artificial sett to move badgers from their sett, the sett was due to be destroyed under license to make way for the construction of the new A120 between the M11 and Braintree. The badgers successfully transferred and have now expanded the area around the artificial sett.

On November 14th 1999, the group constructed an artifical sett near to an old 17th Century Dutch Barn. The badgers had previously been living under the barn, which had an earth floor. The farm owner had recently sold the barn and its surrounding land to someone who intended to convert it to a modern dwelling, and the builders were ready to move in. The group constructed a new sett for the badgers to move into, on the edge of a field which was still part of the farm, and was well within the badger's territorial area. The following pictures were taken whilst the work was carried out. A description of each photo is given underneath.
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    Site before construction
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    Top soil removed
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    Lowering one of the chambers into position
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    Lowering one of the chambers into position
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    Entrance pipe installed
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    Second chamber connected
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    Chamber Protection
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    Reinforced with wire and topped with 100mm concrete
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    Reinforced with wire and topped with 100mm concrete
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    Prior to back filling entrances blocked to prevent earth falling into chambers
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    Prior to back filling entrances blocked to prevent earth falling into chambers
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    Top soil replaced
A120 Artificial Sett
Barn Artificial Sett
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    The first chamber is started and an entrance created. Some digging has to be done by hand
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    The wooden chambers are made off-site
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    Second chamber is excavated
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    Preparing the second chamber
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    Pipes connect the two chambers and are used to make entrances
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    Second chamber is filled with straw
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    Once fitted, earth is shovelled back around the sides of the chamber
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    Corrugated iron is placed over the chambers
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    Plastic sheeting is then laid on top
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    Reinforcing wire and concrete are put over the top to prevent "undesirable" people from digging the badgers out
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    The concrete is allowed to dry before the earth is put back
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    A finished entrance hole (One of two)