Why do I keep finding tiny grasshoppers in my pond, trying to be pond-skaters? When I lift a stick under them they make a big leap onto the grass. Has no-one told them to look before they leap.
What has scratched up about 6' x 10' of lawn (well the bit that WAS the nearest thing to lawn I have). shallow scrapes all over it. I can't blame the hens because I've not had any for a year (see p.pen's thread). And I haven't rotovated.
I would imagine there could be many things that have scratched like that - crows? Badgers? Rats? Mink? Perhaps a swarm of hedgehogs! It does sound like something wanting worms, insects or grass roots.