Help? Urgent!

No molehills there, Moved? That's a new one on me - squirrels dig up bits of my garden looking for their acorns, but they never hid them under my lawn.

There is a patch of my lawn which seems extraordinarily interesting to foxes, crows and magpies. They are always scratching away at it. I wonder whether it has a lot of leatherjackets in it, or other creatures. Nice tasty morsels.

And squirrels - forgot them.

Could be squirrels burying their winter stash, could be foxes digging for grubs.
Place upside down empty,obviously, hanging baskets over the holes and re-seed.

Not moles, dug from the top. Far to much to cover, its the whole lawn! We have seen more leatherjackets this year but only a few.

What can we do?

Sounds quite significant damage if you are considering returfing! I know foxes do rummage but it sounds even more damage than they would usually create. Can you post a picture..that might help us?

I wonder if you've got a family of foxes or badgers grubbing around on there?

In our garden the squirrels only seem to leave deep paw sized holes. Not really digging it up. Not like the do to the patio pots! Grrrrr

Not sure a photo would show the detail. It is as if something with paws has had a jolly good dig, up to about 3 inches in places and in other as if it has just pulled out the grass. Don't think we have badgers although we could have but am sure we have foxes. Apart from getting a dog, what deterrent can you suggest?

A badger.

something has dug up my lawn

Rabbits!!

Look for droppings (like little currants). I think it's more likely to be rabbits than anything else.

Any of these fit the bill?

That is very helpful Aka. I do know that a while back there were protests that badgers would lose their homes not far away if planning permission went through so that could be the reason this has just started. On the other hand all the treatment I have just given to the lawn seems to make it less likely. I'll go and hunt around for a possible route into the garden in a little while. Thanks

Badgers might also explain why it is mostly the lawn furthest away from the house as their movement probably at that distance would not trigger the security light.

Thanks Merlot the badger and rabbit ones look most likely. Definitely not the insect ones. Not aware of any rabbits even on the common half a mile away.

A large area of damage could be badgers - but they are creatures of habit and very territorial. If you come across a noticeable latrine ( a small hole filled with poo) then its badgers.

I would suggest badgers, they will dig up lawns looking for insects, especially if there happens to be a bumble bee nest underground. My way of deterring them is to leave out a dish of peanuts. If you put them within range of the security light it is fun to watch, and they don't seem to notice the light. I have posted a picture today on the new nature thread.

Does your local authority have a wildlife officer? It might be worthwhile giving them a call to see if they can identify the culprit. I suppose it would be a step too far to install a CCTV system?

I have one of these. Trail camera . It is amazing what activity there is at night! It can take stills or video clips in daylight or darkness, and is heat or motion sensitive. I bought it to keep tabs on a now-deceased cat who went feral for a while.

Just found a big hole behind a tree in the garden!

Moved it could be a 'Beast of Bodmin'-type thing!

The Malvern Monster

Any bedding (leaves,straw, etc) near the hole? Does it look as though they are houseproud and sweep it out frequently and change the bedding? If so badgers.

Does it smell strongly like rotting garlic? Foxes.