The recent erratic behaviour of the local foxes continues, but from a combination of the trail cam and direct sightings I am pleased to confirm that the three cubs are all still around, as are several adults. I’ll come on to the update on pretty (who had been absent the longest) in a moment. Before her, a small selection of shots of the last gull chicks at work. These are the lesser black-backed variety. The chicks, which were born two to three weeks later than the herring gulls, are on the verge of fledging and are actively making preparation for that first proper flight.

Three lesser black backed gull chicks

Lesser black backed gull chick attempting to fly

The adult was keeping a watchful eye on them from above.

Lesser black backed gull

The gulls will soon be moving away, or at least to an adjacent roof. Back at home the foxes have been rather more difficult to pin down. The trail cam has shown at least three different adults over the past couple of nights (I’m not sure that Shy Boy is among them though), and I’ve had direct sightings of Bully Boy and Red (though they seem to be less frequent night visitors at the moment). This is all part of the annual alignment of territory, as the younger foxes are pushed out of the home range and the adults start to assert local property rights. It will pick up as we move into autumn.

The one fox I hadn’t seen for several days was Pretty. She was the most frequent visitor of all the foxes, so her absence was a concern. As it happened she finally put in an appearance early this afternoon. It seems she’s been in the wars. She was limping on her rear left leg, which is carrying a clean but nasty looking wound. It looks as though a chunk has been taken out of it.

Wound on rear leg

She was putting weight on it (which is a plus), and otherwise she was very much her usual self. We’ll keep an eye on her if we can, but foxes are prone to injury and in most cases recover without intervention. They are highly mobile on three legs.

Pretty standing on the wall

Pretty