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

During 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.