Home in the compost

[Digger-07]

While digging out an 8 year old compost heap (the things you inherit on an old plot!) I discovered a void. It was in the base of the heap, which was about 1m deep overall, about 300mm diameter and 200mm high with a slightly domed "ceiling". I could not see any obvious access or exit although I may have already dug that out. There was no sign of life but there was a slight hollow about the size of my fist in the floor of the "nest" which was filled with short pieces of grass about 50mm long. I am puzzled about what could have made the "nest". The plot is at the back of some buildings but on a site that has not had much activity over the past 3 or 4 years.

Any ideas please?

[kirsty b]

hedgehogs and other little creatures could possibly have used it as a place to hibernate

[NOG]

Most probaly Rat but could be mice. Mice need only the diamater of a pencil to get through.

This year I had Bumble Bees neesting in mine...I thougth they were solitry but it turns out some types live in colonays like wasps.

[Earthbabe]

Most bumble bees are social bees and you can get a few hundred in a nest. Honey bees are referred to as advanced social bees (000s per hive) and then as you suspected NOG there are the solitaries such as the red mason bee.

[Digger-07]

I had three different types of bumble bee in the heap earlier in the year but this "nest" was a lot lower down.

Thanks for all your answers I did think it could be rats but I've never seen any on this plot or any signs of them.

[NOG]

"The boy done good, the girl done better,
The seasons turn and we're still together,
The sky is still blue and tomorrow is another day."
Billy Bragg

I prefer
"Is there more to a seat in parliament
than sitting on your ass"

or

"Got up in the morning to go to school
thought mother says there will be no work next year"

Billy Bragg the peoples poet

[nick the grief]

How about my favourite Billy Bragg lyric

I saw two shooting stars last night,
I wished on them but they were only satelites,
It's wrong to wich on space hardware
I wish I wish you cared"

[NOG]

I could see the kitchen light
From the road where I parked my bike