A fox had already polished off cute baby rat's parents but, unfortunately, it didn't take long before cute baby rat became a big fat daddy rat himself and so our rodent problem increased once again. That was until a neighbouring cat found our garden. I got up one morning, a few days ago, to find him sitting on our patio with one dead rat at his feet, 10 mins later there was another, 20 mins later he walked past carrying a third in his mouth, then later in the day he left us a fourth. Since then, despite keeping guard for hours, in all weathers, he hasn't caught anymore.
I can't help feeling sorry for the rats but, on the other hand, it had got to the point where we felt we couldn't leave any doors or windows open in the house as they were nesting so close by. I also can't help admiring the cat's determination and acute senses..most of the time that the cat (don't know his name) was keeping guard he just looked like he was snoozing, with eyes tightly closed, but his ears gave it away as they kept twitching showing he was listening for any sound and very successfully it would seem.
At least without the rats around it has left the fallen bird food free for the pheasants who have returned to the garden for the winter. I have to admit that I have also started throwing food out for them as, if I can keep them over our side of the valley, they won't get caught up in the pheasant shoots. This year, so far, we have two males and five females visiting regularly. Usually, if there is more than one male, they are constantly fighting but these two males are very peaceful chaps...
...unlike two of the females who seem to hate each other and are forever squabbling.
7 comments:
Hi Helen. That photo of the rat on the bird feeder is amazing! It's a shame for the rats that they all got nabbed, but I have to admire the cat for it's patience. I have to give in to the fact that it's Nature's way.
I had a little laugh to myself when you described the cat snoozing, but the pricking of its ears betrayed it being alert - my mother is just like that - at 84 years old, she appears to be sleeping all the time, but when something catches her attention, she looks up and one eye opens! :O)
I love it that you're looking out for the pheasants, hoping they will avoid the shooting.... just the sort of thing I would do. :D
Hi Lesley...my mum was very sleepy around 84 but she's 87 now and has suddenly become very active. It's a bit worrying really as she says she can't stand being at home so she goes off everyday wandering around towns, fields, parks, anywhere, but she is also getting very forgetful and has already got lost on a couple of occasions. I'm trying to persuade her to have a mobile phone but she's not too keen.
I enjoyed reading your blog, you look to have 5 pheasants My Melanistic Pheasant came back after the summer but he's gone again perhaps he missed us feeding him because we were on holiday.
Hi Helen. It's great that your mum is so active at her age but I can understand your concern, especially as she's already got lost a couple of times. Could she be persuaded to avoid the fields and keep to the town and parks?
A mobile phone would be a good idea. I can understand her reluctance to use one though - I've never had one even though I'm quite technically able in other respects, e.g. the computer, dvd, etc. Maybe if you got her a simple one (do they make simple ones these days? :O) ) and gave her a few practice sessions so she gets used to it. Emphasise that it would give you peace of mind if she would carry a mobile phone with her. I hope you find a solution.
Hello David..todays count of pheasants is 9(2 males and 5 females)but unfortunately also 2 rats, an adult and baby. The adult rat has been chasing the pheasants but maybe the cat will visit us again soon and continue to sort out our rodent problem for us. Your pheasant might return now the colder weather is here.In the summer we hardly ever see then but in the winter there is nearly always a few in the garden.
Hi again Lesley.. I have found a mobile phone that just has four contact buttons and a place next to each button for the name of the contact, plus it also has an s.o.s. button that will conatct the police and main contact automatically if pressed. Looks very simple to use, although, I'm not sure the police would appreciate my mum calling them to say she's lost in the middle of some field several times a week:0)
Oh that sounds just the thing Helen. I'm sure the police would be very understanding. :D
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