The fox cubs' dinner guest

This is a brief follow-up to my post of three nights ago.  I was watching six foxes at the back door when I became aware of the hedgehog coming towards them.  I was only set up with a wide-angle lens so I ran for another camera.  Please forgive the rather clumsy camera work but it is interesting to see the interaction.  The cubs are mostly wary of the hedgehog and make sure to keep their distance.  The hedgehog isn't in the least concerned.

A hedgehog in the garden

I haven't seen a hedgehog in the garden for five years, until this past few days.  The latest one was first picked up on the trail camera, first in daytime and then at night.

I was a bit concerned because hedgehogs don't normally come out in the day and it can be a sign of sickness.  But at this time of year newly independent youngsters sometime forage in daylight because they are hungry, and the weather has been very dry which doesn't help.  This one is small but seems quite sprightly.  The first time I saw the hedgehog myself was when it turned up while I was waiting for the foxes.  And while I was watching, the half-tailed yearling vixen turned up.  (You can hear in the background that the oystercatchers are still around.)

I would have thought the vixen had seen a hedgehog before but the hedgehog may not have encountered a fox.  The younger foxes are interested in the hedgehog but only out of curiosity - they sniff it and move on.  The older vixen just ignores it.

Last night the hedgehog was here first and was eating the fox food.  It had some peanuts and two small bits of chicken skin before wandering off across the meadow.  The first fox cub to arrive just stood and watched and didn't seem to know what to make of it.  Later the hedgehog walked by, unconcerned by four foxes watching it as they were eating.

Then the hedgehog appeared outside the kitchen window less than an hour ago.  This is the first time I have seen it in daylight and I was able to get quite close.  It seems healthy and vigorous and was again foraging under the bird feeders so for the moment I think I shall just keep and eye on it.  It won't be easy leaving extra food for it as the foxes would probably just eat that as well as theirs.

My left hand

I am right-handed so if I am holding something to be photographed it is in my left hand.  As well as feeding the robin and the pheasant I seem often to be catching birds that have strayed into the house or greenhouse or, occasionally, been stunned by flying into the window and everything has to have its photo taken before release.  Over the last few years I have collected quite a few photos of my left hand and here are some of them.  I wonder what I'll catch this year? Whatever it is, it will have its photo taken.

I expect you'll recognise everything.  The only tricky one is after the pheasant and before the blackbird and is a juvenile whitethroat that got stuck in the greenhouse.

End of year favourites - Mammals

I have come across several of the larger British mammals this year but fewer of the smaller mammals and to get photos I often have to rely on the trail camera.  Here are some of my favourite images.

The highlight of the year was this guy who moved into the garden for eight days in July.