One of our national newspapers is leading with a story about ‘Giant Mutant Rats’ heading for the UK. Nonsense of course (as are most tabloid wildlife scare stories), but it’s a timely hook to post some photos taken today of our local non-mutant and modestly small Falmer Pond rats. They really can be rather cute, though the setting helps (a lot).

I was actually tracking a flighty little wren which I’ve seen several time recently when I saw the rat. Today was the first time the wren had paused long enough for a photo and just after I took this shot the rat emerged from under the overhanging bank of the pond.

It scampered in the undergrowth around the edge of the pond, mainly keeping out of sight, but not entirely.

Then back down to the edge of the water, keeping away from the local dog-walkers.

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.