What have I found

[shagbat]

Help please?
I encountered these mutilated trees trees and curious, went on poo watch.
The only other poo around was from rabbits and selfish dog owners (well. their dogs!)
Can anyone help with explanation/identification please?
Many thanks,
shagbat

[~T~]

Well im no doctor but that first one looks like an owl pellet. The mutilated trees look like the damage done by the greater spotted chav, a very common creature that will damage almost anything.

[Wild-Woman]

Sort of looks like mechanical damage. Can't think of anything do that much damage to be honest. Perhaps a tractor?
Even squirrels stripping bark or deer antler rubbing don't usually do damage like that. If it was in a USA forest, I'd go for bear!!!!

[Deb London]

There are a lot of tracks round each tree (in a 'non-human' sort of formation). Maybe something with 4 legs and horns/antlers?

[shagbat]

Many thanks all.
I will keep an eye out for more developments as I am still none the wiser.
Bears are only infrequently seen in Hertfordshire, whilst sadly, many forms of chav are only too common. Not an avid TV watcher, I vaguely saw something about people training pitbulls and their ilk by attacking trees though some of the damage was too high and too local for this. The area is very popular with dog walkers who would soon complain if dangerous dogs were present.

Deer were my first thought. Of course, I dont know how long the tree damage had been done prior to me spotting it. There are many squirrels in this area,
bordered by a housing estate, dual carriage way and housing estate.
Also, I believe that a couple of years ago, local firemen released a deer trapped in a nearby fence.
The pellet/poo was about 3 1/2 inches long, glossy and contained what looks like cut straw, unlike any other pellet I have seen.
Thanks again,
Shagbat

[The Woodman]

I agree, the first pic is of a fresh pellet still covered in mucus. Some small bones are visible under this layer.

The trunk damage looks like deer to me, there are incisor marks across the radius to break through the bark and a good chewing at the cambium. Do you have Fallow in your area? Ponies can inflict similar damage.

[nightshade]

My cat has a dedicated scratching post (the back gate) that looks just like that. Depending on the reach could it be a badger scratching post?

[shagbat]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

I agree, the first pic is of a fresh pellet still covered in mucus. Some small bones are visible under this layer.

The trunk damage looks like deer to me, there are incisor marks across the radius to break through the bark and a good chewing at the cambium. Do you have Fallow in your area? Ponies can inflict similar damage.

Yes, am convinced about the pellet, I have never seen a fresh one before.
Also, there are Fallow deer around (Hertfordshire) but I assumed they were confined to private estates. There are certainly Muntjac aplenty.
Today, I witnessed some Roe Deer (tame) feeding on bark, the damage was very minor compared to that in the pics.
I am told there is a Badger sett on the nearby railway line, though I have yet to see a badger.
Cheers,
s