"Diphthong" wrote in message
om...
it sounds as if someone is sprinkling rice for a second or two onto the
top of
the ceiling boards. Happens just for a second or two and then nothing else
for
hours or more. Is this typical of mice?
I have noticed it several times in the small hours recently. One time at
about
3am there was quite a fluttering sound, like wings going beserk, which
lasted a
while but it really wasn't the time to get the step ladder out and wake
the
whole household! Sceptical friends have suggest birds perched on the
gutter
can sound as if they're in the loft, or may have dropped small items that
roll
the roof.

Years ago we used to hear small noises from the loft. One day I decided to
investigate and pushed open the trap door.

You know those rolls of old wallpaper you keep up there? One was thrown at
me, I'll swear it didn't just fall. I thought Hitler must be still around.

Spouse went up and found a dead, stinking, squirrel in some more wallpaper
and evidence of at least one other, live one. He put netting over any holes
big enough for them and there was no more noise.

In our case they'd jump to the roof from a tree and somehow gain ingress
once there. I used to see them jumping from the tree while I was sitting at
the computer but thought no more of it.

Mary