Any idea what's causing these circles in my gravel driveway?

[sixdogs]

Attached are two pics of circular clean spots in my gravel driveway. I have about seven of them. All that happens is the gravel is brushed away from the base material. Almost all are nearly round and I've seen them for a couple years and almost always in the fall.

These two areas in the driveway are maybe 30 ft apart.

.

My first thought is a bird was doing this in order to get smaller grit to eat for their gullet that grinds up food. I don't know. We are also frequented by possums and coons and an occasional red fox. A couple housecats as well and a rabbit.

Anyone have a guess what these are or what is causing them?

 

[seville009]

Maybe put a trail camera up - see if it catches anything.

 

[Jstpssng]

This could turn into another holes in barn floor thread, or maybe even-
NAH, I won't torment people by mentioning "pallets. "

 

[DieselBound]

Beginner aliens, not yet well-versed in doing crop-circles?

Dust devils (or a small water spout touching down)?

Water rising/upwelling? (no clear channels/paths away though)

Same area every year?

Hard to tell from pictures, but is there excavated material to be found nearby?

My birds, chickens and Guineas, can make dust bath craters, but they've never done so in any gravel that we have.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Turning a ZT and spinning on the wheel?

 

[bcp]

Birds, maybe.

Video at the link below:

3K views · 46 reactions | Why Do Birds Take Dust Baths? Dust baths, also called dusting, dirt baths, or sand bathing, are part of a bird's preening and plumage maintenance that... | By Huron Fringe Birding Festival | Facebook

Why Do Birds Take Dust Baths? Dust baths, also called dusting, dirt baths, or sand bathing, are part of a bird's preening and plumage maintenance that...

www.facebook.com

Another video:

Bruce

 

[NHBX]

Alien drone landing pads?

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Tannerite.

 

[Carl_NH]

Fuel oil or propane delivery trucks turning with their front tires stationary?

Air brake release on a large truck, but that would be all year and not just in the fall.

 

[Boss 302]

I give up!