Scratching thing in garden - again

[sherrardk]

I've posted about this before, but there is something coming into my garden at night. It scratches about in the corner and sounds huge. It is always at around the same time - do rats have a night-time routine or could it be a fox on the other side of the fence? Thanks

[ummmm]

Could it be a hedgehog? I was very surprised at how noisy they are.

[boxtops]

Yes, hedgehogs can make quite a racket. However it could be a rat - if your catz catch a rat, it's always in the night.

[boxtops]

^^ that should be OUR catz, not yours!

[sherrardk]

It's been going on for a while now (since before Christmas) so they should be hibernating - would love it to be a hedgehog though as they are my favorite animal.

[Lily_Lilbert]

More than likely a fox, why dont you go out and have a look?

[Prudie]

I too would expect a hedgehog to be hibernating. Are you near enough to countryside for it to be a badger? Can't you surprise it one night with a huge torch?

[sherrardk]

Hi lily - I did have a look last night but couldn't see anything, there's the root of an ivy bush thing and it is surprisingly dense (and I wasn't going to get too near!).

[ummmm]

I forgot they hibernated...doh.

[ttfn]

sherr - when I have wanted to identify 'visitors' I have sieved flour onto the garden or path so I may check for paw prints in the morning. Not suitable in wet weather of course.

[Prudie]

It's not an ex-pupil is it!! haha

[boxtops]

Get a big torch, when you hear it you can shine it out through the window!

[ttfn]

sort of detetion gone wrong, Prudie? ☺

[Purple_Popple]

Possibly a badger....they are very adventurous at this time of year when its cold...they come into people's gardens looking for food/scraps etc, they also create alot of damage to lawns, turf, fencing etc and are very strong too!

[Lily_Lilbert]

I still reckon a fox, they are harmless, dont listen to the media hysteria

[sherrardk]

I hear it when I go for a ciggie - maybe I should just take the torch outside with me when I go? (and maybe put my wellies on instead of crocs). It could be a badger I suppose, there a little lane behind us that leads directly onto fields - would be cool if it was a badger but I wouldn't be able to see it if it is the other side of the fence.

[Lily_Lilbert]

You live in the country? It could be a panther :)

[ruthann58]

hedgehogs are up and about here in suffolk we have one come every night for some cat food

[AlBags]

I walked out into the garden late evening a few weeks ago .. and just outside the back door was a badger rooting about. Saw me 3M away, shrugged it's shoulders, walked across lawn and disappeared unhurriedly through the hedge.

[sherrardk]

I maybe need to go round the back of the garden, into the lane, and see if there is a hole on the fence - can't see one from this side because of all of the ivy (and can't hack it all back as we rent our house).

[Purple_Popple]

10-1 tis a badger..... :)