•The persistent robin, written about in June’s column, did indeed return to nest in the hanging flower basket, regardless of two glass jars being put in the centre. It laid two eggs and then deserted, maybe to return next year?

• A couple in West Brome started to hear weird noises in their ceiling at night and figured it must be mice or squirrels. However, while dining outside one evening, they noted that there were less biting bugs this year despite the wet weather. Then they noticed 10 – 12 UFOs escaping from their roof – not birds, not mice but bats. They discovered, upon checking the next day, where the bats were entering along the top of the roof. Interested in protecting the endangered species, the couple built a “dormitory” for the bats before sealing the opening in the roof. Said dormitory is made of plywood with a few layers inside for bats to sleep and a non-slippery instep so they can get in and out without falling. This bat contraption is attached to a tree enabling the bats to safely enter their new abode.

• A Brome Lake resident woke up one morning to find the glass table on his lakeside patio had been shattered by a rock which had apparently been dropped from the sky. He surmised that a bird had swooped up the rock along with, or instead of, his prey and dis- patched it onto the unfortunate table. On another occasion, he was eating breakfast when a ten-inch perch landed unceremoniously onto his ill-fated patio table. Raw fish is considered a delicacy in some parts but not one from Brome Lake and missing its eyes. Apparently, the eyes of fish are a sought-out luxury for crows and this perch may well have been “leftovers”. It could also have been a gift from a bald eagle.

• On being asked by his five-year-old son what the slits under his eyes were, the father responded that they were wrinkles. After considering this answer, the little boy responded: “Dad, I’m getting older but you ARE old”.