Not quite what one anticipated seeing on a trailcam in December.
The size and pale belly suggests that this is a Natterer's bat, a widespread but scarce species. Professional bat ecologists try to survey on nights when the minimum temperature stays above 7c or even 10c. According to the trailcam, this bat was afoot in a chilly 3.8c. At a time when most British bats are hibernating - in old mines, church roofs, cracked trees or other strange places - this one is apparently awake and hungry.
In practice, some bats do wake up in winter. They emerge to change their roosting site, seek cold insects or even engage in social interactions. It will be interesting to see if this bat reappears.
Regardless of what December may be for bats, it is extremely busy month for foxes. Their mating season arrives around New Year and many males are wandering widely. Sometimes they engage in fights with each other, but this one looks scar-free.
Foxes are not shy of using their voices but then again, neither are badgers. This does not appear to be a particularly friendly interaction.
It has been a dark, rainy winter. The footpaths are boggy and the stars generally sealed with clouds. But wildlife continues its drama in the gloom.
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