bats in the belfry?

[jkn]

Hi All we have a strange noise coming from a corner of the loft; I will go up there shortly but am puzzled as to what it might be.

We had rats some years ago (collapsed drain, since repaired) and I am pretty sure it is not them. All we hear is a short bit of 'scrabbling'. only for a period of 30secs or a minute, around midnight or so, some nights. The noise actually comes from a corner of the first floor ceiling which is an outside corner, as it were. I've taken a look outside at that corner with with binoculars but cannot see anything unusual.

As I say, I will take a look in the loft shortly but I am curious in advance as to what it might be, given the very short nature, and timing, of the noise. Theories welcome...

Cheers Jon N

[Andy Burns]

Every time I've thought it might be rodents, it's turned out to be birds.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Meece...

or perhaps another small rodent, or perhaps nesting birds

[The Natural Philosopher]

Every time I've thought it might be birds, it's turned out to be rodents.

[Harry Bloomfield]

The Natural Philosopher formulated on Friday :

As it kicks in at regular times, could it be the hot water system starting to heat up at a set time?

[Brian Gaff]

If it is bats, don't tell anyone about it as they are protected and it might be difficult to legally get rid of them if they have been there for some time. Much better, though not for the bats, is to wait till they are all out hunting at night then block up the hole they are using to get in.

Brian

[Brian Gaff]

Squirrels also like lofts. However from the timing, Bats can be the main suspect. Brian

[Martin Brown]

If it is bats then watching outside at dusk as they come out to hunt will confirm it. They tend not to be in the roost at night- leaving at dusk to go out hunting and when they come back are lightning fast.

I suspect it is more likely mice. Bats do make a noise from time to time but only for a few nights a year when the youngsters are learning to fly and crash into things. Its a bit early for that ~late July where I live.

It could also be birds nesting - they make scrabbling noises too.

[Tim Lamb]

In message , Harry Bloomfield writes

Sounds a bit late for Bat noises. I'm no expert but our Pipistrelles emerge at dusk and go off to feed. They seem to prefer the East side of buildings but this may be conveniently sprung cladding boards. June is a likely time for offspring so maybe mum comes back and you hear the subsequent kerfuffle.

[newshound]

+1 to all that

[whisky-dave]

I have the same problem with students in the lab ;-)

[Brian Gaff]

What students bringing bats or being a protected species? Brian

[Brian Gaff]

Yes if its birds, wait till they all fledge then block it up. Brian

[Brian Gaff]

Also whatever it is, the access hole need not be where the scrabbling occurs, the roost or next will not be near the hole or the weather will come in. Brian

[whisky-dave]

Difficult to legally get rid of them ;-) Best wait until they leave the lab then lock them out until the next day.

[Martin Brown]

There isn't much separation on mine. And the hole is unbelievably small more like a narrow slit of missing mortar. Weather doesn't get in.

The young fledgling bats can find their way through miniscule gaps and sometimes end up on the downstairs carpet unable to climb the skirting board to gain height and fly again. bat conservation taught me how to take them back to the roost after getting fed up with callouts.

My bats cling to the roof and under the eaves just above the point of entry. I don't begrudge them a home in the loft even and put trays down to catch the droppings. The whole idea freaks my cousins out.

I think numbers are less this year with the oil boiler no longer running for hot water. It isn't quite as cosy any more.

[Vir Campestris]

Our wrens fledged today. I found one of them drowned in a bucket on the patio :(

Andy

[jkn]

Update: Hi all. I managed to get up in the loft this (sweltering) weekend. The evidence is clear - fresh rat droppings ;-(. Have put some traps down and we will take it from there.

Thanks for all the ideas/observations

Jon N

[Martin Brown]

Good luck with that. The ones round here are too smart for traps or anything other than farm grade professional poison bait. They were able to eat the stuff normally sold to the public without apparent harm!

Snag is with poison that they go off somewhere to die and in this heat that will pong a lot and attract many flies.

Good luck!

[Graeme]

In message , Martin Brown writes

Our dog loves to bring home remnants of long dead wildlife and, since our bin was last emptied, I have added two rabbits and a pigeon. The bin is due to be emptied Wednesday, and it *stinks*.