[mab]

I discovered today several large patches of grass have been torn up on the slope of the hill  ; it can't be any of my animals as they're not in that field. I wouldn't mind if it was a yard or so, but there are several patches totalling maybe 1/5 acre, and it's not likely to grow back in at this time of year. Must have happened over a few nights at most. Spent some time this evening trying to re-lay some of the rolls on the bare earth but I'm not too optimistic about the grass re-rooting anytime soon.

I couldn't see any hoofprints anyway, so that probably rules out wild boar (not that I've seen any of those here), but possibly the odd small paw print - smaller & squarer than the labradors and  bigger than a cats - maybe 1 1/3" across, and what looks like some excrement? (pictured).

could it be badgers? (not seen any of those here either TBH but that doesn't mean there aren't any) or foxes? (lots of those here)

[Cheviot]

My guess would be badgers.
Regards
Sue

[Me]

http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/

[HappyHippy]

I'd say badgers  They do a powerful amount of digging!
Try and get something living in the field asap - it might discourage them from building a new set.....once they've moved in you're stuck with them 

[Porterlauren]

One of either types of pigs (the black and white kind or the hairy kind).

If its the latter, then I will happily come and remove them, and give you a bottle of whisky for the pleasure!

[Me]

I'd say badgers  They do a powerful amount of digging!
Try and get something living in the field asap - it might discourage them from building a new set.....once they've moved in you're stuck with them 

They are a protected species valued above all others (some may say - irrationally) by the british public, you should be proud to offer them a new home.
(Avoid buying a rare or expensive breed of cattle to live in the field - the badgers could get tb)

[mab]

I'd say badgers  They do a powerful amount of digging!
Try and get something living in the field asap - it might discourage them from building a new set.....once they've moved in you're stuck with them 

well I could put the sheep back in, I suppose - though it'd mess up the worm-control plan - they've not been out of the field that long.

Sadly I rather suspect they're already resident in 'the wilderness' - I've got acres of overgrown scrubland.

Actualy I remember there was a bit of similar damage last autumn but not nearly so much - so maybe it is the mushrooms they're after.

I wonder what time they're out - I've made a couple of trips this eve with the dog but there's no sign of them.

[Porterlauren]

Having sheep in a field doesn't stop badgers using it. . . . I regularly see them in and around stock whilst lamping.

They are mostly nocturnal.

Probably not that wise saying you go looking for badgers with a dog  You'll get a bad name. 

[mab]

OK, the sheep can stay where they are then; would the shetland pony stop them I wonder...

huh, yeah, I hadn't though of it that way - though me n the dog were just going to scare it if we can (at least that was my plan - though maybe that's illegal too). I don't want to camp out in the field all night though  .

thanks folks, at least I know my adversary now, even if I don't know what to do about him.

[Me]

I am pretty sure if the pony interferes with the sett it can be clapped in irons and sent to Australia. You could be seen as complicit in the pony's heinous crime.

[Porterlauren]

Depends on the pony. . . . . . also seen brock around horses, however some horses are mardy little buggers and will have a go at any intruder. So maybe you'll get lucky.

Its a sad fact that you really can't legally do bugger all. They have a daft and pointless level of protection. If it was any other species, including many more useful, beautiful or rare, you could just kill it.

But because its a common, pain in the arse, disease carrying badger  . . . .  you just have to hope it goes away or walks into a car.

[Old Shep]

Personally I would be thrilled if badgers moved onto my land. ( I don't have any cows to give them TB - so they will be fine ;-) )  . 

[Porterlauren]

Please come to wales, we give away a free badger for every visitor. Just come and collect whenever you fancy.

[mab]

huh, well the pony is fairly laid back TBH, gets on with the sheep and ignores dogs unless they're actively winding her up.

In principal I don't object to resident badgers, and they're welcome to any mushrooms, beetles or anything like that; I've even got around my fox problem by installing herris fencing around the chickens rather than get rid of mr fox; but if the badgers can wreck a 1/5 acre of pasture in just a few nights they're going to exhaust my tolerance in record time.

[Penninehillbilly]

Personally I would be thrilled if badgers moved onto my land. ( I don't have any cows to give them TB - so they will be fine ;-) )  .

I used to think that, until one morning the door torn off the call ducks cage, ducklings gone and their mum gone crazy. Tracks told the tale :-(