THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Current Distribution
Fig. 1 shows those 1 km. squares where badger setts have
been recorded since 1960. Squares with setts that have been
fully recorded on National Badger Survey forms are shown by
solid symbols and squares with setts reliably reported, but as
yet unchecked, are shown by open circle symbols. Older records,
or setts that I have been unable to find from the information re-
ceived, have been excluded. No attempt has been made to dis-
tinguish between active and inactive setts, as this is subject to
constant variation and must be the subject of separate study.
It should be emphasised that the search for badger setts has
not been carried out systematically. The map is thought to show
a reasonably accurate picture of detailed distribution in the
southern half of the County; the northern half has not been as
well covered, and whilst overall, badgers do not seem to be as
common here as in the south, it should not be taken that setts do
not exist in the northern half of the County, where not shown on
the map.
Figure 1. Map of 1 km. squares where badger setts have been recorded
since 1960
General Summary of Distribution
Badgers have been recorded in almost all areas of Essex since
1960, and are only definitely absent from that part of Essex now