What animal does this to the lawn?

[DumbledoresGirl]

Just got back from a week away to discover some animal has dug little holes all over our lawn. They are about teacup to cereal bowl sized holes in the ground, clearly dug out by an animal with quite large paws as the grass has been spread around quite a bit. So far, someone has suggested squirrels digging for roots, but we don't particularly have many squirrels round here. Any other suggestions?

Needlesstosay, the cats have been brought back from the cattery with strict instructions to patrol the garden all night and apprehend the offenders!

Are there any marks in the grass between the holes, like little pathways?

No

I was thinking voles because of the stream but because you say the holes taper at the bottom I would say Badger.

It is a fascinating debate. I wish I had the energy and luck to get up early one morning and catch the culprits at it, though I have to say, we have had no problems before last week, and it hasn't got worse in the last 2 days, so maybe whatever it was won't come back. I can't help but feel the presence of the cats (or absence last week) is significant.