Not Fooling

Mostly cloudy day but became warmer by late afternoon.

As we looked out into the garden a Brown Rat appeared from under a Box tree near the shed. It checked the coast was clear and gingerly crossed the lawn where it picked up a piece of sliced apple, carrying it a little further it came across a piece of stale sponge cake, where upon it doped the apple, picked up the cake and carted it off to the bushes. It returned a minute later to get the apple , returning again to retrieve the rest of the scraps on the lawn.
Rats are common in urban areas but not welcome. I have heard some wildlife enthusiasts suggest that they are unfairly maligned but I would rather err on the cautious side.
Despite reports which express some alarm as to the amount of Rodenticide in use by local authorities, I intend to contact the Rodent control department who will come and lay baited traps.
One Rat may not indicate an infestation but a neighbour reported seeing four in his other neighbour's garden.