Mole Hill?

goosey · #1 (**permalink**) 19-01-2010, 12:08 PM

Does anyone think this could be a mole hill – or is it something else?

I know it looks strange because we have an enclosed paved yard, with a narrow border with soil and plants. No Lawn. Under the paving slabs and border is sand (our town is built on reclaimed land and sand dunes). But we have had a mole on two seperate occasions in the distant past probably about 15-16 years ago. We never had a mole hill though, just a hole in the 3cm gap between the wall and paving where it came up and was found wandering around the garden.

When we started the thaw on Sunday after a month of having snow in the garden I noticed this pile of earth. I couldn’t say how long it had been there. There was a lot of earth – very fine with a strange smell which wasn’t like earth at all. I took this piccie as I thought it strange and cleared the mess. Today there is more earth albeit a smaller pile but the earth is more lumpy this time.
There is a small gap that leads from the edge of the paving down the side of the shed.

What do you think? Please don't say rats!

paul m · #2 (**permalink**) 19-01-2010, 03:59 PM

With the thaw many moles have become active around here - presumably they're digging to escape melt-water? Could be the same for you - I assume that your soil is fairly sandy: otherwise I would be worrying that they're digging away your foundations!
The only alternative I can think of is an ant colony but it would be most unusual for them to be digging at his time of year.

The Woodman · #3 (**permalink**) 19-01-2010, 07:16 PM

I don't think that looks like a mole hill, more like the result of some small hairy beast probably with a scaly tail trying to dig a hole in the corner.

goosey · #4 (**permalink**) 19-01-2010, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

I don't think that looks like a mole hill, more like the result of some small hairy beast probably with a scaly tail trying to dig a hole in the corner.

What sort of beast?

The Woodman · #5 (**permalink**) 20-01-2010, 07:13 AM

star - but you'll need a mirror!

Why is my post timed at 1013 when it's 0813 UT?

goosey · #6 (**permalink**) 20-01-2010, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

star - but you'll need a mirror!

I must be incredibly thick this morning - why would I need a mirror

?

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

star - but you'll need a mirror!

Why is my post timed at 1013 when it's 0813 UT?

It is all in your settings.

Go to the Control (mouse) icon top left.

Find Edit Options in the column

Scroll down that page and near the bottom you will find Date & Time Options, you can make the time adjustments for GMT there.

The Woodman · #7 (**permalink**) 20-01-2010, 07:34 AM

Mirror image of "star"?

Thanks for the time tip.

goosey · #8 (**permalink**) 20-01-2010, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Mirror image of "star"?

I don't get it! What star

.

OMG!!!!!!!!! I do now- I said I didn't want to hear that word and you were so kind not to mention it!

The Woodman · #9 (**permalink**) 20-01-2010, 07:43 AM

Further to my last post, I've just looked out of the window to see a brand new mole hill one metre away from the bird table pole!

Moles are very rare visitors to our garden.

goosey · #10 (**permalink**) 28-01-2010, 12:23 PM

A bit of an update.
I have been trying to watch out for mice, rats or wishingly (is that a word?) moles this last week, but nothing.
Then today another large pile of dirt on the paving slabs in the same place appeared and also now a pile of dirt 3 foot away in the border. When I looked I saw 3 holes. These measure 3cm in diameter.
I can't see any droppings or foot prints.
Does this help to narrow it down.

goosey · #11 (**permalink**) 16-02-2010, 08:57 AM

I think I have the culprit - mice!
If you look you can see a pile of dirt with two holes.

(The piccie was taken through the window, that's why it is so grainy)

We have mice in the garden, they used to live in the cavity in the shed wall, but I think they moved to the log pile. In all the time they have been with us I have never known them burrow in the ground or cause piles of dirt like this. So I didn't think they made the holes when I was looking for a culprit.
I don't think (thank goodness!) that rats were (are) the problem as the apples I put out for the birds are never taken or other bird food.

Still on the mole theme - there are loads of mole hills around all over the place, I have seen lots up the road (about 100m away) on a disused railway embankment, so I suppose there is the chance a mole took a wrong turn and eneded up in the garden.

The Woodman · #12 (**permalink**) 16-02-2010, 11:50 AM

There you are - a bit of home detective work and a good observation has revealed the answer. However, I'm suprised that your apples weren't gnawed by the mice.