So it transpires that a small rat occasionally occupies Ms J's kitchen windowsill. I can't exactly recall how this morning's doorstep conversation got us to this point, but she did think it wouldn't be long before one of the crows would surely catch him (or her), to which I replied that could make for exciting viewing.

I asked if she'd named the rat, to which she laughed and said "no, but if I did I'd call it Nuisance, or Kick it in the Pants". I've promised to ask for regular updates on Nuisance the Rat as part of my shopping missions, although I fear with all the bird life around it may prove to be a brief tale.