[Rupert the bear]

A very unusual thing last night , I was wobbling around last thing checking everything was shut up for the night when I heard a splashing sound from a bucket of water, thinking it was probably a frog I had a look. To My surprise
I found a  wee bat struggling to stay afloat. Got it out and let it rest on my hand for a couple of moments, once it dried off away it went.
We often see them in the evenings but I have never held one.

[Fleecewife]

Thank goodness you were there when it plopped into the bucket.  I once had an exhausted Mallard crash land at my feet, having dropped out of a flying formation from total exhaustion but still alive.


My weirdest experience with a Pipistrelle was when I heard a strange rustling inside the log burning stove (unlit).  I opened the door to investigate and there was a slightly sooty Pipistrelle.  I picked it up, took it outside, blew off some of the soot and away it flew, none the worse for its experience I think.  It's great to be able to give a helping hand, isn't it    ps we made sure to renew the cowl on the chimney to keep birds and bats out.