What creature is likely to live here?

Can anyone help me identify what lives down this hole? I'm almost 100% sure it isn't a rat, as it's too small, and doesn't have that slightly 'greasy' appearance around the entrance that I associate with rats (we had an infestation last year in an overgrown part of the back garden I had to deal with.... Shudder). Glove shown for scale!

It's sort of mole hole in size, but without the associated earthworks. All opinions welcome!

 

Try again to post image....

 

It could be a bees nest LincsJohn.

 

Bees would be good. Is there any way to tell?

 

Hi lincs john it looks like you might have underground or mining bees

Bees are seemingly docile creatures, that is, until you cross paths with them. Sure, they maintain the balance in nature and make honey, but can be annoying
The most common characteristic of ground bees is where they live:. These bees usually dig themselves little holes and hideouts no wider than a few inches across. You can identify their habitats by seeing raised, loose dirt piles which surround a hole just large enough for the bee to fit inside.
bees nest in the ground, under the soil, often in the bare patches of your backyard, lawn or garden. So It is pretty easy to spot mining or underground bees nesting grounds and avoid them. Usually their small “balled spots” or places with no grass around indicate an insect activity underneath.
Ground bees are common but actually aren't that big of a problem when handled properly.
And , they might even be helpful aerating your yard!although Most of time, they won't even be pest until threatened. This doesn't mean they can't be annoying though. Here a pic of a nest

 

Some Bubblebees nest in the ground

youtude video

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...=PTpq23FToYs&usg=AOvVaw3jtKceuGEKqdkTXclchm-L

 

We have both mining bees and bumble bees in our garden. Looking at the diameter of the hole, it looks a little big for mining bees. Those holes tend to be pretty much the width of the bee. My guess would be bumble bees...

 

I have Miner bees for the second year in a ground nest against my house wall. I've read that they don't sting. I have Bumble bees in a bird nest box and recently discovered wasps going into a space where my back door jamb meets the lower part of my house wall. Those I will need to do something about very soon.

 

I agree with you, @Sheal. We have lived with many different insect nesters, in and around the house, including a hornets’ nest in the eaves of the house. The only neighbours we would not be so sympathetic with a second time is the wasps. Three ground nests in the lawn meant that we couldn’t pick mint safely, but the main problem was their ambushing of meat, as it came off the BBQ (we cook outside very often in the summer. If they return to our property, we will be calling the fire brigade to “remove” them.

 

Thanks for everyone's replies. I think I can live with all of those possibilities, except wasps, which look fairly easy to deal with.

 

Would you let us know please if you discover what you have.

 

Will do!

 

Just to update anyone who was interested, it appears to be toads!

 

Toads! Well I would never have thought that toads nest in the ground. We learn something new every day!