Briantspuddle Garden Wildlife

Diary 2009

Murder mystery !

A Serotine bat, found 18 August 2009, inside the house. How did it get there? How did it die? Natural causes, or...murder? See below for clues. I/d points: like a 'giant Pipistrelle', with the same proportions but much larger (see 10p for comparison). The 'scruffy' appearance was probably exaggerated by its wounds (a clue!) but is characteristic of the species.

18 August :

Witness A, Statement 1 - Proceeding in a westerly direction, on the early morning of 18 August, I found the corpse at the bottom of the stairs. Small amounts of blood on the upper surface were consistent with injuries sustained from feline teeth. (Defence lawyer objects at this point)

Correction - ...injuries sustained from two sharp objects, possibly teeth. A cat was observed in the vicinity, curled up on a chair and professing innocence.. However, next to the corpse, a beheaded spider was also found, similar to those chased by the aforementioned cat and frequently left in the same place. Foul play is definitely suspected, but absolute proof will be difficult to obtain. I am afraid that the accused will have to be found Not Guilty on this occasion.

More Serotine pics. The tragus (small flap in the ear) is curved both sides,and the underparts are evenly dusky.

Prime Suspect:

...denies all knowledge of the incident.

 

Link to July 2009