Who dug this hole? Rodent?

[Owen81]

Hey guys,

I wondered if anyone could shed some light on what made these holes in the bank behind my mums garden- im inclined to think rats as the holes are fairly large- but wanted to see if anyone could positively id them before my mum decides to get out the poison.

They live in a quite rural area, and do have Water Voles in the river which is about 20metres away over a field. Behind the bank and hedge is a large field left for pasture. So it could be a variety of creatures- but i guess its the size of the hole that might govern it. Could the droppings be Pheasant?

I did find some droppings and foot prints but this is a damp ditch that leads to the river so they may or may not have been made by the creatures who made the holes.

I am inclined to let them stay- as my dad feeds the birds alot and they are probably only cleaning up the seed over night- certainly helps reduce the amount of weeds that would grow. Its not like they are coming out in the day.

Thanks
Owen

[camo]

Hi Owen

Welcome to the site and i hope all your posts are as interesting as this one.

The holes look quite large for a Rat but I do think they are being used by a Rat as the compacted shiny look to the soil below is characteristic of Rattus Norvegicus and I suspect caused by there continuous activity and urination. I would rule out Water Vole as at 20m they are too far from water, they may have been made by Rabbits but there would cvertainly be droppings indicating Rabbit. I also think if they were Rabbit the grass will have been chomped.

The track looks like an incomplete Rat footprint, it is right size and shows the toes although I suspect because the ground is firm it is incomplete.

The droppings I am less sure the white on the righthand one suggests a Bird although they could be squashed Rat. If I had to guess then yes could be a Pheasant.

Roy

[Pippa]

Fabulous Owen,i am of no help at all, but a great big welcome to WAB.

[Owen81]

Hey guys,

Thank you so much for your replies and warm welcome!

I was hoping it wasnt rats but it probably is the most likely creature around.

There was a weasel in the garden last summer so im hoping he might come back and pick off a few!

Would the claws indicate a different species?

They do have a semi tame pheasant who probably contributed the droppings!

In all there are about 10 holes down the bank of varying sizes, they had been there for at least a year or so and some look like there has been recent digging while others obviously disused.

Last year there were rats in the garden but these hadnt been seen since then.

I will ask my mum if she can keep an eye out for any more clues.

Thanks again
Owen