Watermelon sized hole (cave) in pond bank

[lambic]

Very much off topic !

Wonder if anyone has any views on what could.have made this.

Removing weed today from the pond / lochan.

Found a hollow in the pond bank, just below the normal water level. But because it hasnt rained for 9 months properly the pond is 0.5m lower than normal.

It is about the size of a watermelon, pushed end on into the bank. Very noticeable now have pulled the reeds out.

No sign of excrement, feathers fur or fresh diggings.

Definitely not water voles unfortunately (used to have them at last house).

Anyone have any thoughts ?

To dig it, I think you would need to be in the water

I initially thought a large rock had fallen out of the bank, but there are none to be seen.

Doubt any waterfowl can dig ? Never seen a badger down there. Hares are always lazing around the pond bank, but they don't burrow

 

[VSS]

Maybe where an old land drain enters the pond? All silted up now, but with just enough seepage getting through to cause a bit of erosion at that point?

 

[grandad of the woods]

No idea but interested in others views

 

[John Gryphon]

Pommy wombat,a small one at that lol.

 

[sh1kar]

I thought a drain too

 

[John Gryphon]

Pommy wombat,a small one at that lol.

Cant help myself...wombat hole with (?) a wild dog or pups in it from recent trip.

 

[seedawood]

Tay valley Beavers haven't reached you have they?

 

[HonestJohn]

Scumbag?

 

[finnbear270]

Some farmers used to send land drainage into dew ponds.

 

[Smellydog]

Cannon ball!

 

[tackb]

Cannon ball!

more likely a 6.5 creedmoor!

 

[KRW]

Coypu ... slightly bigger than your last water voles

 

[lambic]

Lots of land drain, old clay and stone ones.

But they are a fair bit deeper than the hole

Can rule out scumbags, too isolated

Not seen any beavers or Coypu or otters or mink.

It is a mystery

 

[countrryboy]

A drain/clay tile might be ur best bet.

Try getting 2 bits of fencing wire for diviners ( ive heard some folk hold outsides of bic pens with wire in middle)
Try divining slightly up hill from the 'drain" where u d expect it to run.
In theory it should 'indicate' in a straight line if it was a drain.

 

[Rafter]

Capybara.

 

[HonestJohn]

Haggis?

 

[Smellydog]

 

[HonestJohn]

One of my favourites. The child in me

 

[sako85708]

Is there fish in the pond, as Carp will dig out scrapes or holes looking for minerals and food ??

 

[Bo Diddley]

If it was created by a wee beastie, an otter is the obvious choice..... But some of the other ideas are more entertaining