Urban Badger ?

[Gaza]

Hi Guys.
Forgive me if this question sounds silly. But.

I live in an urban area. But about 200mtr from farm land and more rural areas.
I keep sawn cross sections of trees, by my garage, for cutting up and burning.
We often have urban Foxes in the garden. We have seen them regularly.
But a couple of mornings ago, while putting out bird food, I notice that something has torn large bits of bark from the logs and broken off, large bits of rotten wood.
Have never had this happen before, and i am now wondering if it might be an urban Badger ? Or do Foxes do this sort of thing ?

[Wild-Woman]

Well it might be a fox.I saw one on our patio the other day chewing a wooden broomhandle.

[Gaza]

Hi Wild-Woman
Yes. That was my first thought, other than we have never had this with the fox, or foxes that visit us regularly.
The other thing that i didn't mention is that there is now visible a worn path on the lawn, from the rough part of the garden to the log pile. right along the edge of the garage.
I know this probably doesnt mean anything, but the fox tends to wonder all over the garden.

[Dogghound]

Has it eaten the bark? Is the garden open? im guessing you have snow, wont there be prints?

[Gaza]

Hi Dogghound

No foot prints, Sorry to say, As this happened a couple of days ago. Before we had snow.
I do not know if the bark has been eaten, But there is a lot of bark and wood strewn all around about a three foot radius.
What ever it was, has made quite a mess. ( not that i am complaining )
The garden isn't open, as such. But in the corner of the garden, behind the garage, is a rough patch that we leave to nature, and there, it is open. covered only by bushes . This is like an alley that leads to agricultural land

[Dogghound]

I was thinking deer? although not a regular garden visitor (to me anyway). Sometimes birds can do this sort of thing looking for insects under the bark?

[Gaza]

I wouldn't think that a deer would get through, but i agree with you about birds.
Although the bits of bark are probably as big as a Blackbird, and this happened during the night.
Think I'll have to keep my eyes open, and see if i can catch sight of what has done it.

[Dogghound]

Hmm, unlikely birds then, so with those possibilities out, perhaps a badger or fox.

[Gaza]

Yep ! That was my thinking.

Maybe I'm due a late night, in the dark, with my camera at the ready.
Thanks for you help.

[mbaldw]

It could be a fox or badger (both are well known in urban environments) removing the bark looking for insects. This seems especially likely if the wood is starting to rot.

Cheers,
Marc.