What's causing havoc in my garden???

[Billabong Karen]

Some animal (fox? hedgehog?) has been doing some damage in my garden lately. It leaves its poo in very prominent places, which makes me think it is a fox. The poo looks like small dog poo, but it has berries in it.

Over the last couple of days there have been holes dug in the grass, and last night this animal has rummaged all around the pond, digging up plants and pulling at the hessian which covers the edges of the pond. I've also noticed that all the small froglets seem to have disappeared... I assume the hessian has been pulled up in order to get at whatever was hiding underneath (frogs, newts, etc).

I'm hoping this will stop of its own accord, probably once the amphibians start their winter rest. But I'm interested in what's causing the damage - probably fox I guess. What do you think?

[Dogghound]

Can you get a photo of one of the droppings? sounds like a fox they (and most other british carnivores) feed on berries at this time of year. They also actively seek out amphibians.

[Hawk Roosting]

Sounds like a fox. Do you use bonemeal at all in your garden?

[Billabong Karen]

No, I dont use bonemeal. Next time there are droppings, I will be out there first thing with the camera!

[Wyrd]

Fox poo has a strong, distinctive and disgusting stink (I know this because it's my dog's favourite thing to roll in!).

[Billabong Karen]

I havent noticed a smell... shall bend down and have a careful sniff the next time! Luckily, my dogs are now too old to do much fox-poo rolling (but I do remember it from earlier years). However, this morning they were VERY interested in the area with the disturbances!

It's a bit annoying since the fox (I assume that's what it is) has pulled the hessian out from around the pond and this has disturbed the rocks that were holding it in place under the water. Ah well, I'll just have to don my wellies and get in there I suppose.

Never a dull moment...

[Billabong Karen]

He's been at it again... Here is a photo of the droppings:



A big frog leapt into the pond as I went down there this morning, so if it is indeed a fox causing the damage, it hasnt cleared out all the amphibian life yet!

[Wyrd]

That doesn't look like fox poo to me. Fox poo is usually very dark though I guess if it's been eating an unusual diet it might look like that. Any chance it could be a badger?

[Biomotors]

My money would be on a badger. We have lots of this damage all over the garden - but it's worth it !!!

[Wild-Woman]

I'd say badger. They may be pulling on the hessian to get to worms.