Underground Nest

[byrney]

Hi, i have always had a keen interest in birds and although i would'nt call myself a bird watcher i can recognise a quite a large number of breeds.
The reason for this post is as follows.
i live in greater manchester and i work in a five acre plot in the cuerden valley. i take my terriers to work with me and walk them around an enclosed field in the evening before returning home. This evening one of my terriers started to dig (as terriers do) so i walked over to the dog for a closer look, as i approached the dog was pulling what looked like mice type bedding consisting of fur, from an approx 8 " deep hole.
i quickly pulled the dog away but unfortunatelly on closer inspection i noticed at least three tiny chicks in the bedding. Shocked i carefully pushed the bedding back into the hole and i will have to hope fpr the best.
A friend of mine thinks they may have been Little owl chick but says they only lay two eggs. The chick where only about an inch in length.
Has anyone else got any idea what they might be.
I will be keeping the dogs on a lead in future.