A couple of mornings ago I went out early to walk the dogs and noted that there was something laying on the lawn.

From a distance (and without glasses) I assumed it was a rabbit but on closer inspection I was astonished to find it was a dead stoat.  A large, dead male stoat.  It had a couple of teeth marks at the side of the neck and its throat fur was wet and slightly discoloured making it look as though it had been well gripped by something.

I was even more astonished to find a dead bat laying about 10 feet away from the stoat.  This was a beautiful long eared bat with big glossy ears, lovely dark fur and the most amazing paper thin wings.  It was interesting to get so closed to one and handle it although I was very sad that I only got to do that because it was dead.  I guess it is the one I have been enjoying in the early night in the garden and I will miss seeing it.

The bat had also sustained some injury - one wing was perforated in about 5 places and there was a little damage to the side of its head.

My first suspect is Marley but I cannot believe that he could take a stoat and a bat.  Either would be a huge challenge but both, on the same night?  If it is him then I have to suspect he is a panther or cheetah in disguise and, perhaps, should start calling him "Sir".  I do not think that the injuries looked like an owl had struck.

As it happens it is looking more likely it may be him as the vet happened to call and imagine his delight as I hove into view with a dead stoat in my hand. Having established that I was not expecting any miraculous treatment for it we had a look and he thought that the bite was too big for another stoat and too small and neat for a dog - so a cat is looking most likely.  He did say that stoats have been known to take bats so the only course of events we could come up with was that stoat took bat in an amazing feat of speed and precision and that cat was nearby watching and struck whilst the stoat was distracted.  I so wish I had seen it - imagine being able to film that even!

This does seem like a very, very rare event to me - bats are hard to catch and stoats are fierce opponents.  I know this because the dogs found one in the woodpile in the woodyard and it held them both at bay for quite some time before I realised what they were doing and called them off.

If anyone knows of a similar incident and how it happened I would be delighted to hear from you.  There is a garden mystery to solve.

Oh, and finally, thank you to Howard of Linscott and Best Veterinary Practice for being patient with me, again, as I ask you a daft question when you have come on another matter entirely.