As the title suggests, this post contains graphic details and images of blood.
This morning we were out with our young children having an egg hunt in our garden when I suddenly came across this pool and drips of blood. I was temporarily a bit shocked but distracted my kids away and I returned alone to inspect.
The large pool of blood was partially congealed but fresh, so had probably been there no more than a few hours. The white bits are fur. I'm 100% certain they're not feathers.
The drips of blood leading off end on that brown leaf (or start there).
I can't work out what's happened but I have a suspicion a cat has given birth there. Nothing makes sense though, as there are no obviously marks in the blood to suggest any kittens were there. I've searched the surrounding area for injured or dead animals, kittens, or more blood and found absolutely nothing.
Does anyone know what might have happened? For reference, the larger pool of blood was around 4 inches in diameter and was quite jellylike (I don't think it was a placenta as I washed it away with the hose).