Recurring topic - caught rat release

[exo]

Was trying to feed the hedgehog at dusk the other evening, plate of fruit & nut,
was watching for prickles but ratty got there first & nicked all the best bits.

So I've caught it in a cage-trap today, turns out to be quite young & not anywhere
as aggressive as adults I've trapped & re-located over the last year,
those were actually quite scary.

Obviously an intelligent & self-aware creature - seems to respond to gentle voice,
well it stops squealing in fright at least - eats everything I poke into the cage.

Question : is it best (for them) to release these guys/gals at dusk or in broad daylight ?
release site is mid-forest near a water source, will place a pile of peanuts.

Trouble I have is that, if you get seen doing this in daylight,
am I likely to get those 'it's illegal' or 'don't do that here' or 'damn vermin - kill it!' reactions ?
Hence up til now have been waiting for semi-dark.

Certainly not going to make it into a pet - with 50% chance of Weils.

[Kayleigh]

I don't know but maybe its not a good idea to release it near water if there are water voles in the area..

[exo]

Good point, but it's done now & it's a very infrequent thing anyway,
can't see one rat impacting anything.

Actually was going to ask for this thread to be deleted,
felt it was a bit time-specific, after I posted it.

Scariest thing was seeing how low the ponds/lakes/reservoirs are now,
but very colourful & pretty with masses of purple loosestrife loving the
boggy conditions all round the edges.
Must get some images while it lasts.

[Kayleigh]

Yes look forward to the images that sounds lovely.
There is never just one rat and its debatable as to whether you humanly kill them or let them go.
I would probably leave them if they stay in the garden but if they get into the house then I would exterminate them without a doubt.

[exo]

Definately purple anyway,
probably should post this somewhere-else, like the bird section,
but why not here.

Low water levels definately looks good for certain residents, saw:

canada geese
greylag geese
herons
some teal-like duck
coot
mallard
magpies
seagulls
cormorants

likely others as well, if I knew anything about bird ID,

The water's lower than during the last drought !

[Kayleigh]

Nice shots, will the loose-strife die off in winter when the water level goes back up..
The birds don't seem bothered do they, love the heron my fav birds.

[exo]

I get the impression from looking around that nothing kills this plant off,
some pages call it a wetlab 'thug', stops flowering after August apparently.

But a super source of nectar for insects by all accounts.

[Mele]

Exo, Lovely shots. Hope you don't mind me using one as a screensaver??

[Mele]

Oooh...just noticed that was my 100th post so am now a 'Wild Member'

[wizzo]

Congrats Mele on reaching Wild Member! Nice pics too Exo, and I'm glad you released the rat. I believe that all animals have a right to life. Wizzo