Sunday 18 October 2020

Fox News


The fox(es) still come to the back door for food every night but I see less of them as they often don't arrive until after I have gone to bed.  Last night the first to arrive was the short-tailed cub, as is usually the case.  Almost immediately its attention was drawn to something off to the right and it ran off out of view, towards the newcomer.


Moments later the vixen appeared

followed by the cub, which often seems fascinated by the light.


While feeding they were both aware of something off to the right.

After a while the vixen moved away to deal with an itchy foreleg

and then crouched down in a very submissive posture, while the cub disappeared.  That can only mean one thing

and sure enough, the dog fox trotted into view and started feeding.

He was followed by the long-tailed cub and there was a brief interaction (probably a greeting) between the vixen and the cub in the background.



The dog fox is now looking really handsome with his thick winter coat and bushy tail.  In fact all four foxes look in good condition.


The vixen disappeared but the second cub sat patiently in the background until the dog had eaten enough


and then came to get some food for itself.


This is the first time in ages that I have seen all four foxes together and it is good to see that both cubs are still around. I'll keep an eye out to see who is visiting the garden as we go into winter.  Fortunately the individuals are very easy to recognise, even just from their faces.  Here are the dog (top L), vixen (top R), short-tailed cub (bottom L), long-tailed cub (bottom R).

Of course having one cub with only half a tail makes it easy as well!

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