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Post by teasel on Feb 16, 2017 16:05:44 GMT
I may have told you before, but my allotment has a lot of plastic sheeting on it to supress weeds. When I pull it back for the robins to feed, there are often tunnels. I always assumed they were rat runs, but now I wonder if they are moles, as there are mole hills on the next door lawn, and they are now appearing in some of the areas I have cleared and covered in wood chip. I thought moles were tiny though, and these seem too big. Does anyone know how big mole tunnels are? Sorry there isn't much in the photo for scale! Thanks   |
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Post by alf1951 on Feb 17, 2017 9:13:15 GMT
From personal experience (although I'm far from expert!) moles are stocky little things several inches long and make very long tunnels about 5 - 6 cm in diameter. There should be an old post of mine in the mammals section with a photo of a dead mole. This tunnel (if it is a mole) is likely to be a temporary job as it is so close to the surface.
Alf
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Post by NellyDee on Feb 17, 2017 9:21:28 GMT
Could be wood mice. My bank voles make similar tunnels do you have any fields near you? then could be voles (not moles:)
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Post by accipiter on Feb 17, 2017 19:28:47 GMT
Could well be a wood mouse, it is quite common to find them in such places where I have found their nests either above or below ground in tunnel systems on more than one occasion.
Alan
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Post by teasel on Feb 17, 2017 23:50:28 GMT
The more I think of it, the surer I am it's moles. It's pretty urban, and damp, and quite close to the river (Taff). I have lots of worms (Robbi is very grateful! ) and there are definitely moles around. Here is another photo with a size 7 1/2 for scale   |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2018 23:07:47 GMT
Hi Teasel, I know this is an old post, but could be a Mole. It will be a solitary Mole, not several, as they live a lone life and will avoid other Moles.
I love Moles :-) Shamefully they are not protected here, which is dreadful, they do no harm to the environment and just live their lives, which involves tunnelling, and are killed often because people like a nice lawn, and can't be bothered to just sweep up the mounds.They do not purposely pull down or damage vegetables and plants and their roots, damage to them is usually minimal ,they eat worms and beetles etc Also, killing them is futile, as often when one Mole dies, another will take up residence in it's tunnels (I am not saying you would kill it, I'm on about others)
I'll do a separate post on Moles:-)
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Post by teasel on Jan 7, 2018 23:39:42 GMT
You know a lot about moles I am happy to have them as I am trying to grow wildlife with a few fruit and veg, but don't tell the council  I've read that mole nests are quite deep, so I think some are rats as I've come across nests of shredded plastic / veg matter quite close to the surface. I don't mind them either but the shredded plastic is a pain. Oh, and welcome to WABI! |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2018 11:25:25 GMT
Hi Teasel, thanks for the welcome :-)
Rats then......OMG this is so funny, after I went on so...... LOL !!!
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Post by teasel on Jan 8, 2018 14:32:38 GMT
well I think both, as there are molehills |
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Post by NellyDee on Jan 11, 2018 14:04:51 GMT
As a slight diversion to thread. I knew a gardener who always collected the earth tossed out by moles as he said it made wonderful sifted and clean earth for potting up his plants so he did not need to buy compost.
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I've read that mole nests are quite deep, so I think some are rats as I've come across nests of shredded plastic / veg matter quite close to the surface. I don't mind them either but the shredded plastic is a pain. Oh, and welcome to WABI!