Sunday, 4 May 2014

The Mouse Hotel

At easter i went home to my parents farmhouse, although as it happens i wasn't the only visitor. I had been well informed of the recent invasion of tiny squeaking and pattering feet in one of the outbuildings. Being where our 3 pet rabbits are kept, the constant supply of food and fresh hay must have been just too tempting in comparison with the damp of the surrounding field. 

As i entered the barn, i was met by a host of beady black eyes and oversized ears from just about every surface, nook and cranny. The numerous field mice froze and inspected me suspiciously, like they expected me to come bearing dinner, before continuing to scuttle about anamused. I couldn't quite believe my eyes as i counted at least two dozen at once (my mum tells me there are now four generations of mice.) Of course she is quite to blame for providing them with a comfy carboard box and extra tit-bits every evening at 8 o'clock. Inadvertantly creating Morebattle's very own five star mouse hotel.


I made this little film of them to show you, although the lighting is not great. They very much enjoyed the galaxy chocolate bar stuck down with ample marmalade (the first time i tried the little thieves just carried off the chocolate within mere seconds)



We decided to half the population so i made a second "mouse house" at the bottom of the garden using old flower pots and heaped grass cuttings. I scooped up a dozen or so in a cardboard box and set off to release them into the great wilderness. However i fear they legged it back to the barn and their cosy box well before i even made it up the garden.


 

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