Holes in my lawn

[Booklover]

I bought a newbuild house. Last year I laid turf quite late in the year around September time. I didn't have time to mow and when I did for the first time about a month ago, the lawn is covered in smallish holes. There are no mole hills and they look too large to be from birds' beaks, but the birds are flocking on to the lawn. Does anyone know what is causing them and what I can do abot them? Any help greatly appreciated.

[Velvetee]

Do you think you wild rabbits? Or maybe squirrels burying food and then digging it up?

[katiepops0]

Sounds like it could be squirrels, foxes tend to did in earth rather than grass. Larger birds such as magpies, jays, or crows can sometimes make holes. If the holes are about the size of a golf ball I would think they're caused by squirrels.

[samsong7]

If the holes are small, up to about half an inch diameter, they will be the holes made by starlings, sticking their beaks in and moving it around, looking for the leatherjackets!

[gen2]

Hedgehogs are another possiblty.

Also, are the holes in rows?
If so then it could just be poor workmanship where the strips of turf were not laid close enough against each other.

[chairobyx16]

Left untended grass can naturally form into tufts or clumps. Regular mowing will close the gaps eventualy,if problem persists then previous answers may prove right.

[taichiperson]

Do you have overhanging oak trees? We get holes from birds and mice digging out the acorns from where they have been trampled into the grass.

[Booklover]

Many thanks to all the kind people who answered my query. I now think the most likely cause is the starlings. Someone said there was a leatherjacket problem here, so I shall get some of the stuff you water in to kill them.

People are so great on this website aren't they?