Through the keyhole

[Harvestman]

"Now who would live in a hoise like this?"



My guess is brer fox. I've been wondering where they come from, and today followed a trail that i hadn't noticed before. This is what it led to.

On the other hand, I know that this is badger, as I've heard them crashing around in the undergrowth and the signs are pretty obvious anyway.


This is more interesting. The first two pics are from directly in front of the hole shown in the third. Anyone?


The fox is on a bank in a field, the badger at a woodland edge, and the mystery one in an overgrown old orchard.

 

[Shewie]

Looks like grizzly to me, watch yourself down there

 

[Harvestman]

Wow, thanks! I'm so glad we have so many experts on here to help guide us novices. How did you tell so quickly?

:You_Rock_

 

[Shewie]

It was the response pak and laplander that gave it away, both key EDC items for ursus horribilis

 

[Harvestman]

I'll remember that.

 

[Pablo]

Big and fresh soil heaps (especially this time of year) are indicative of brock. The pics with the bahco look like fox. Fox tends to leave their leftovers in front of the entrance. The scat is white from the calcium content again indicating fox. Could well be more than one species using the sett or den even concurrently. Multi-tenancy is quite common between badger and fox and even rabbit as well - more so in winter.
Best idea is to grab some soil at the entrance and sift through it looking for hairs. That should tell you the most recent inhabitant.

 

[Harvestman]

Interesting. The one I was confident is fox is at least twice the size of the hole I was less sure about. Badger I can recognise.

Good tip about sifting for hairs.