Rats/mice nesting in compost heap.

[ThatBloodyWoman]

Definitely don't want to give up composting,so any tips to deal with this.
There is a resident cat and terrier,and don't want to resort to poisoning the critters.
Would like to just move them on -we are rural so they are perfectly ok to do their ratty thing in the surrounding area!

Birds do not hibernate.
Most of the Tawny noise you hear is
(a) males and females calling each other one goes toowit the other replies toowoo
(b) babies demanding food from parents