Re: Lawn - have the birds done this?

What about hedgehogs ? My front drive has been scratched at for a couple of years and I couldn't make it out. Small stones would be dug up or dislodged overnight . It stopped last autumn and beginning of winter, but has started again this last week. I know it is on 'hedgehog street' as they come up and under the side gate into the back garden. So, I'm assuming it is the hedgehogs looking for bugs and grubs under the stones. I do put food out for them at certain times if it's dry in the summer and the ground is hard, or later in the year when they need feeding up for hibernation, but have not put any out yet.
Are there any tell tale signs of 'poo' around and about ? (hate that word)

Re: Lawn - have the birds done this?

If so we need a photo

Re: Lawn - have the birds done this?

I think mart is right Pesta, it's the birds, or more specifically the Blackbirds. My back lawn has been savaged and all the moss pulled to the surface and left around in big lumps.
I've also got half a dozen pots round the back and they have pecked away all the peat and thrown it on the floor.

I caught them doing it on Friday morning, so I've had to make some pot protectors, unfortunately I can't get out to the garden centre for some meshing, so I've had to make do and mend, and use some of Mrs Foxes tights. I don't think she will miss them, she doesn't usually....

Re: Lawn - have the birds done this?

This time of year the grubs of chafer beetles become active just below the surface and many birds and small mammals dig and scratch around for them. I have seen lawns completely destroyed particularly in sandty soil areas when there have been many beetles the year before. Luckily around here there were very few beetles last year so no lawn damage this spring.

Re: Lawn - have the birds done this?

Talking of the birds, I find if I groom Dageus's long coat outside at this time of the year, the birds come and take the clumps of hair that I remove from the brush. I drop it on purpose now and it's always gone pretty quickly.

Re: Lawn - have the birds done this?

Pesta, does your mower have a cuttings collector or do you just let the clippings lie on the grass? If so, that's probably what the birds, etc have raked over looking for food.

Re: Lawn - have the birds done this?

Seagulls tap dancing for worms?

If not then aliens! They're smaller than we thought!

That's all I've got, sorry!

Re: Lawn - have the birds done this?

You can say the S word Puddle, we won't flinch!

Nope, no sign of any shit.

You know I haven't seen a hedgehog for ages. I think they've left me.

Re: Lawn - have the birds done this?

I've only a few pots at the mo and thankfully they've left those alone.

Re Mrs Foxes tights, too warm to wear any tights FoxyLoxy, so you're safe for the moment

Re: Lawn - have the birds done this?

I've not heard of chafer beetles Barry so just did a quick Google.

There were some pictures of green ones. I see similar ones on my washing in the summer (although they are more of a vivid green). I flick them off and they fly away. Not sure if they are the same though.

I must admit, I've never had a problem with anything like this on my lawn, no matter where I've lived. Always a first I 'spose.