One for the tracking experts

[spandit]

Wondering through a local wood the other day, I picked up an empty (or so I thought) tree tube - the whole lot was probably planted 15 years ago so there are masses around.

What fell out was about a mug full of these:

Not sure what they are, possibly cherry pits, but each one had a small hole in the side. No obvious fruit bearing trees adjacent to the find, it's mainly birch

 

[blacktimberwolf]

wood mouse

 

[Bushwhacker]

They look like hazelnuts that have been gnawed by a mouse or vole.
It would be good to see a close up of the holes and the teeth marks to ascertain a species - each one gnaws a hole in a slightly different way.

 

[spandit]

Not easy to find the same spot in the wood but managed! Hope these are clear enough...

 

[Dave]

Squirrels produce a similiar hole, on acorns, before they bury them as a food source, to stop them from germinating.

 

[Bushwhacker]

Ah, not hazelnuts then, they do look more like cherry stones
Still can't quite make out the edges of the holes - the tooth detail will be really quite fine.
If you can, take a real close look for yourself and if you can see teeth marks scratching the entire hole, inside and out, with scratches on the outside too, all square to the hole edge, then your looking at woodmouse/yellow-necked mouse.
Teeth marks, square to the hole but only showing on the inside edge and not marking the outside is vole.
Teeth marks at an angle to the hole and a smooth inner edge is Dormouse.

It's not dormouse at all.
That leaves woodmouse, yellow necked mouse or bank vole.

Was the tube just laid on the floor or upright?

 

[spandit]

Tube was laid on the floor. I'll have to go out again tomorrow and bring some back for a closer look!