Brown Rat.

[tawny]

There is a small lake near to me where the inhabitants are far from ducks and gulls..there is a large population of rats, the council say they are water voles, of which we know are protected, but i know these are'nt voles, and over the past 2 years i have'nt seen any either...people are often feeding the ducks and birds here which also keep the rats well fed!
Here are a few pics i took recently.See what you think!
The one of the rat in reeds shows he has chronic eye problems.

[rolf]

Nice pictures and as you say, they are Brown Rats http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/index....factsheet_id=1

[tawny]

Thanks Rolf and for the link..

[rolf]

I can remember in my youth seeing Water Voles all the time, lovely creatures, do nobody any harm and just like to go about their business, unfortunately, it is now quite an exiting occasion when you see one. I did manage to get a couple of snatched photos over at Hungerford a few months back, will have to return this spring to see If i can get some better ones.

[Chocky]

Excellent set captures.
I have yet to see one. They are such lovely little animals.

[andy b]

aswell as the rat having a chronic eye problem, i think the council man must have... thinking that these are voles!!! this is an outstanding set of pictures and shows the rats to be handsome little creatures. i particularly like the shot of the pair in the reeds. well done tawny

[Blue Jay]

Nice captures .Well done

[Babs]

Yes excellent rat images tawny, thanks for sharing