There are FOUR foxes!! This is the first time I've seen four together, but it's possible there have been four all summer. In the beginning, I only ever saw one fox at a time, though at two times in an evening, which made me think there might be two. Eventually, I saw two together — hence, I began calling them the 7 o'clock and 8 o'clock foxes. Later in the summer, I saw three at the same time and was thrilled to think the pair had successfully raised a kit. Now, it seems, what I was actually seeing may have been one adult with two kits, because tonight I saw four foxes. One is fairly large, which should be the female. One is a bit smaller, and the final two are smaller still. It looks like we have a family of four!
They come earlier in the evening these days, as the daylight leaves earlier. For now, I can get food out by 6:30pm and be safe, but I'm having to move my time table up. Soon I'll be leaving them leftovers from the previous night at 4:30pm, instead of fresh leftovers like I'm giving them now.
I'm trying to get them used to eating under the deck. They are less than pleased about this now, but come winter it will be a useful habit. Meanwhile, they *do* eat what I put out (they much prefer their dog food mixed with something tasty and wet), and they race around the yard like crazy beasts having a wonderful time.
If I'm right about this being a pair with two youngsters, they'll stay together through the winter. In the spring, the kits will move out and be on their own, but hopefully the adult pair, having established themselves, will stay.
And as I'm writing this, I can hear a Great Horned Owl hooting from somewhere down toward the pond.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
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From your first siting you thought there were 4 foxes.... How 'bout that! They are smart indeed, not to risk taking both to feed at once, they have been careful raising their young. You'd think they were the King and Queen of what forest is left in the area and they know it and will preserve their future. Finally they not little pups and have learned lessons that will keep them safe. Hopefully not to be ended in a hunters trap. The eco-system of the lake must be so improved to bring all this wild life back. This is great news to the whole of the communities of Hanover and Hanson.
ReplyDeleteI worried about your part at first in feeding them. But, as your story grows, we know that one person (Pop Pop) the cat hater/lover would be there while your on holiday this week, TODAY in fact!!! and the Nan would never skip feeding them while your away. Good stuff..... now lets hope for Quail to return. I would have thought they would have been first... strange that they may not due to the reverse of things.
Where oh where are the turkey's now?????? :)