Hi elleyfant
You’re just about right there (‘looks like it’s pretty much never’)!
But, seriously, the best time would probably be in the Spring just after the hogs have returned from hibernation and hopefully before they have babies. So probably some time in May. Even then, one could be using it as a day nest. But that wouldn’t be quite as bad as disturbing a hibernating hog or one with babies. The trouble with hogs is that they all do their own thing, and so can be unpredictable.
Just be really careful – i.e. don’t use a fork, etc. If it was me, I would try to move the compost by hand. I know it sounds like hard work, but would be the safest way from the hog point of view. That way, you are more likely to notice a hog there before the nest area was disturbed too much and could then leave it alone. Maybe you could, at least, explore a bit by hand, first. You will probably be wanting to put the compost down earlier than May, so I would just be really careful how you do it and stop if you see any signs of hogs.
In reality, it’s more likely there isn’t one there than there is, but you never know and it would be distressing to injure one by mistake. Sorry not to be more help!
