It could also be that the clay node you took from was probably already drained a bit, in which case, you taking a few bits may set its regain back a little bit. just a small bit. that would piss me right the hell off when I had some good clay, it got drained down by myself or my villagers so I leave it alone, only to come back a day later to find its lower than it was before, or not restored at all.
When I first met whiskyjack, it scared the living hell out of me. anyone wearing heavy armor does. especially when Ive been leaving scents around. the first thing he said was "hi." the second thing was something along the lines of "hows it going?' not too threatening. He mentioned the scents outside my village, and I explained where they came from. end of story, until today when I met him outside his village. I was invited in and met the people of his village. Very very nice people I thought, so i'm gonna just side with the guy who gave you a chance first, then layed down the threats. when you get pulled over, you don't haggle with the cop do you? no! you take the ticket and you pay it, or you go to collections, the difference here is, this is a game and instead of collecting what you owe if you don't pay it, people will collect your land, your property, and your life.
Just sayin.