Factors affecting crossing of red foxes and wildcats through non‐wildlife passages across a high‐speed railway

We used trail records on sand surface within non‐wildlife passages to test whether foxes and wildcats used them regularly, and to identify passage features which may favour crossing across a railway and, therefore, may alleviate possible banner effects Both species crossed more in places and periods corresponding with assumed peaks in abundance and mobility, thus supporting the regular use hypothesis The vicinity of cover favoured crossing, but both species used infrequently passages near permanent sources of human perturbation (especially intense traffic) even in suitable habitats with abundant cover The presence of cover in the passage entrances further favoured fox and wildcat crossing Cover near entrances may be particularly important to improve carnivore crossing chances in open habitats and when human activity levels are high Passage design and dimensions had little effect on crossing rates Location of passages within or close to suitable habitats explained a greater amount of variance in crossing rates than favourable passage features There was a remarkable similarity in the behaviour of foxes and wildcats, possibly representing the rule for other carnivore species