What is moving the pebbles?

Part of my garden is covered in seashore pebbles. There are some small "islands" of earth some with trees, some with shrubs, here and there, each surrounded by log roll making a "wall" about 6 inches high. Now and again I notice a small quantity of pebbles, clearly from the main pebble area, laid out on the islands in a loose pile. The question is - what is moving them and why?

 

Hey Cr1tical,

I would guess, magpies, small children or otters. As to why? Why did the jackdaws take nearly all my stainless steel pins out of the church over the weekend [hr]
If you were in an area subject to permafrost then i'd put the stones movement down to the ground freezing & rising in small mounds, causing the pebbles to roll down the mounds & form rings of pebbles.

Many of these mounds leaves a lattice of pebble circles, mystifiying if you didn't know the ground had previously frozen. Could form a religion around that one

 

All sorts of smaller wild creatures will do it. They look for bugs and worms and slugs for their dinner. I've caught them at it a few times. Blackbirds are the main culprit in my case, but crows and magpies are well known for that sort of thing.

 

Keep a look out for Bamm-Bamm, He usually hangs out near Pebbles. (But whatever you do, DO NOT APPROACH!)

Hope this helps :DOH:

- Luke -

 

Thanks everyone. Not sure I have the answer yet. The pebbles have to be lifted up over the log roll from the ground below, about 3-4 inches high and about a foot laterally. I've noticed the phenomenon elsewhere with pebbles (which are very distinct from the normal garden stones) appearing in odd places adjacent to the main pebble area. Need to get one of those motion sensor cameras, might even catch Bamm Bamm at it!