What would dig up a wasp's nest?

[Lancashire Lad]

One of my regular haunts, which produces numerous fungi species during the year, is on a steep banking in which there is a wasp nest.

The nest entrance is a small tunnel in the soil of the bank, and a constant stream of wasps can usually be seen entering / exiting whenever I happen to pass by.

All was normal at the nest yesterday, but when I passed today, it had been dug up.

I'm assuming this was the work of an animal rather than a human, as there was no obvious signs of footprints or human activity. (Plus, it has been very wet overnight, and I doubt that anyone was there before me today).

What remains of the nest is about the size of a football. It is entirely open to the elements, with all traces of the entrance tunnel, and the front half of the nest missing.

I would estimate that around two hundred wasps were busily scurrying around on the nests remains, with very few wasps actually flying around.

I know from experience that this particular nest needed to be approached with care, and am sure that whatever dug it up must have been well and truly stung.

There are badgers & foxes in the wood, and very occasionally deer have been seen, but what animal would risk the stings and predate such a large nest?

Regards,
Mike.

[charlieb]

Badger most likely ... Eurasian badger (Meles meles): Photo File - A wasp nest dug out by a badger

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by charlieb

Badger most likely ... Eurasian badger (Meles meles): Photo File - A wasp nest dug out by a badger

Thanks for that charlieb. A very interesting article, and everything mentioned therein seems to tally with what's happened at this nest.

I guess there must be a badger in the wood with a very sore nose today.

Regards,
Mike.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

I guess there must be a badger in the wood with a very sore nose today.

But a full tummy!

Jim

[Jason Green]

Evening Mike,

This may be of interest: Eurasian badger (Meles meles): Photo File - A wasp nest dug out by a badger

Take care,

Jason

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi Jason.

Yer avin' a larf ain't ya.

Your link is the same one that charlieb posted as the first response (above) answering my original post.

(To paraphrase the Fast Show sketch - I'll get your coat. ).

Regards,
Mike.

[Jason Green]

Is it? Ah... innocent mistake. That'll teach me to read responses properly in future

*disappears rather quickly...*

[aland]

Could this have been some one after wasp grubs for fishing, Match men perhaps, But we recently found a bumble bees nest stripped out in our bales it was ok two weeks before, My wife thought hedge hogs or fox cubs, aland.

[JoulesH]

I've seen bumble bee and wasps nest destroyed by badgers on our farm in the last couple of years. They make quite a mess!