HI Annie
Yes, know what you mean re. rats. I wouldn’t want to harm one, but the trouble is, given the chance they would just eat any food left out for the hogs before the hogs got a look in. It’s possible the hogs will just stop visiting if there is never any food left for them. I was hoping the break in food over the winter might have made the rats give up visiting here, but no such luck. The rats are also very good worm catchers, so are competing in that respect as well.
I also remember seeing an old (looked deserted) barn, out on a walk years ago, which was absolutely swarming with rats. Certainly wouldn’t want that many near the house! Had never seen so many before or since – quite a scary sight. Two of the rats seen here (on video) recently, look suspiciously like ‘short tail’ and ‘one eye’ from last year, which is a bit surprising.
Yes, it was lovely to see the little wren bathing, I don’t recall seeing one doing that before. Always something new to see, even just in the garden!
