Fresh spoil heap

Badgers create spoil heaps at the entrances to their setts by dragging earth out backwards.  

Spoil may contain large stones or rocks – this is a certain sign that badgers dug this hole, as foxes and rabbits would not be able to dig out such large debris.

Freshly dug soil on the spoil heap can be distinguished from older spoil, which is usually more compacted and covered in debris.