Our cats are pretty good hunters and they love bringing us gifts, usually of mice and the odd bird. Our oldest, Leeloo, has had enough of bringing dead animals to her ungrateful humans. Instead her new game is live animal gifts then making us catch them!
A few nights a week Leeloo will come to the bedroom and meow til i wake up. Usually i will find a stunned but unharmed mouse or bird cowering in the corner and i can gently help them escape much to the cats annoyance.
Last night, Leeloo called out her 'ive got something for ya' meow. I coukdnt hear any associated chirping or sqeaking so figured whatever she had was dispatched. She jumped up straight on the bed, mouth in my face - thankfully no body in her maw! I peered over the end of the bed for a look and to make sure there was actually something there. There was a tiny bird. I swung out of bed and went to pick it up, but it didnt look right.
On closer inspection i quickly realised it was a very small bat! I dont have a problem with bats, and think they are pretty fascinating creatures, but utterly gobsmacked how my cat managed to catch one! I took a picture of the wee guy - sorry if its a bit morbid - but wanted to show how amazing this little critter was.
Thankfully, this species doesnt seem to be endangered, as i know a few bat species are. Brown long eared bats are distributed all over the uk, although are maybe a little less common the further north into scotland you go.
I hope the hunters dont catch anymore - its a real shame to see them dead - but really awesome to know that we have so much variety of wildlife just outside our back door!