Bird or rat in ceiling?

[JetskiSkyJumper]

We keep hearing noises in the ceiling above our kitchen. We thought it was a rat (we had one in the cavity wall of the same area earlier this year). Pest control aren't convinced due to no signs of rats anywhere inside or out and no bait taken from a box that's been outside over a week now.

It seems very loud to be a bird but how do we tell the difference? We do only seem to hear it in the mornings between 9-11. It's very rainy today and we're hearing it much more. Do birds stay in when it rains? 😂

Watching with interest ...

This time last year we discovered rats were entering our loft (semi detached) via HUGE hole in neighbour property - then via cavity walls).

Lomg horrible story but in conclusion pest control attended and hole was blocked, unfortunately at least one rat was trapped in and ignoring all bait but eating dog food scum bag neighbours left in kitchen for dog all day every day (poor thing was regularly left on her own all day and often overnight). He's since been evicted and eventually at the end of the summer all noises and traces of rat visiting our loft stopped and thankfully no smell.

We figured it had died off but in the last few weeks I've been hearing the same noises in the lift above our room at night. Several inspections by DH haven't shown any sign of rodent visitor or birds/squirrels but I know I'm not imagining it

Everyone tells me it's birds in the guttering but I'm not sure how active they are at 3am ...

Oh no. It's so stressful when you think you have or do have rodents in the house.

We’ve just put some humane traps in the loft after hearing noises and finding loads of mouse droppings. The traps are plastic boxes which close once the weight of the mouse enters. We live near woodland so will let them out there (checking traps every day)

I had a squirrel living in my roof.

I was going to say squirrel. They make a huge noise.

I'd question why Pest Control have put bait outside, I'd be expected it to be in the loft with trap(s). If it's been happening on a regular basis, I'd have expected droppings from whatever.

Are you or anyone else in the house confident enough to go up and have a look around the loft?

I came to say squirrel too. They get into our roof space occasionally. Noisy little buggers.

We put the bait outside ourselves as we first heard noises the day before xmas Eve so knew we wouldn't get anyone out for a few days.

They did also mention a squirrel but I've never seen one near here or how it could get in. Also mentioned bats.

The area is above a single storey kitchen extension so there isn't any proper access.

We tried using a wildlife camera outside last night but didn't see anything. I've moved it tonight in the hope we can figure out what it is.

Next option is a camera through an uplighter I suppose!

I have a similar problem. Discovered 2 mice in my house in March and Pest Control were successful in catching them with a bait box and trap. No signs since BUT I am in a mid-terraced house with a single storey kitchen and bathroom to the rear and have been hearing noises for a few months now. Above the ceiling and under the roof. I work most days and only heard it of an evening/night at first. Spent some time at home during the day recently and whatever is up there is just as noisy during the day. How can I determine what it is?

Birds can make a lot of noise and they do shift and shuffle around at night - I can hear them, followed by cheeping sometimes. They can be incredibly loud and sound like rodents.