This summer has been dreadfully dull much of the time at work. Today, however, I had a few moments of genuine excitement.
I was sitting in my office and I heard some peculiar noise. But when I looked for the source I couldn’t find anything. A bit later I heard it again. I was fairly sure I was in the building alone, yet the rustling seemed to be coming from another office. I very quietly moved from mine down the hall toward the kitchenette. Yes, the noise continued and it seemed to be coming from the window — or the garbage can. I peeked in and saw a bat wing!
I had to think quick. I did not want the creature flying around where it would be difficult to catch. I remembered some towels in one cupboard. I got one out and covered the top of the garbage can. The little guy disappeared very quickly under the garbage. I carried the works outside and carefully emptied the garbage onto the grass.
Oh how I wish I’d been smart enough to grab my camera beforehand! The dear little brown bat wasn’t going to wait and pose for a picture when he realized he was free. Away he flew.
Little brown bats are an endangered species in Canada. These creatures eat a lot of insects, preferring those that spend the first part of their life in water, like mosquitoes. They like to roost in buildings during the summer, and hibernate in caves during the winter. “White nose syndrome,” a fungus which kills, is wiping out entire colonies. The Canadian Wildlife Federation has lots of information about these animals. Including directions on how to build a bat house.
I quite enjoy the short visit from the little “flying mouse” (direct translation of “fledermaus”).