Nests, but what?

Went for a walk down to the river yesterday and came across this heap of grass/hay in a small hawthorn. It had about half a dozen what looked liked entrances to nests. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what was nesting there? I've never seen anything like it before.
The only bird I can think of is sparrows.
[align=center][/align]

 

Hobos?
Down and Outs?
Sensible Birds ? .... of the feathered kind .... :hehe:

 

Could have been taken over by wood mice Dave bit to near the ground for sparrows.

 

Thanks Walnut - I'd never have thought of that.

 

I would have said dormice?

 

Could be in Cornwall Celia, but as far as I know they don't come nearly as far north as here.

 

Hi Dave. I too have never seen anything like that before. I can not think of one British bird or indeed mammal that would build such a structure. The only thing I can think of is that someone chucked the hay there, and its been colonised. I guess you'll have to revisit, and sit and watch for a time and see what you can see. Failing that - send ithe picture in to your local wildlife trust and see what they think.

Been on any interesting trips this year<gg>

 

It has been dumped there Fran there is no stucture to it probably put there to feed cattle then the mice have claimed it.

 

Hi Fran nice to see you back on here again. :gnthb: I think Walnut is right about the material being chucked there as it's right next to a hay field.

No trips so far this year, but we are hoping to go down to near Cambridge early March and will probably break the trip at Troutbeck. Too cold ( minus 18 last night ) to go up to Aviemore at present as the plumbing would freeze.

 

I have a heat seeking camera if you would like to borrow it :hehe: :hehe:

 

It is not a nest just been chucked there.

 

- "by a river" - could be flood debris but go with the dumped animal feed theory