The return of the fox cub

Although the adult fox has continued to visit us, we hadn't seen the cub since the middle of August – until tonight that is.

I went outside and saw his distinctive ears at the back of the garden. It was damp out there, and he backed away at first. A food bowl soon got him out though and he came over to see what was on offer. The whole time he was eating he seemed on high alert in case another fox was around, ears pressed back and slightly jumpy at the noise of the wind.

cub1509013sm

This time of the year foxes are sorting out their territory for the winter mating season. My guess is that the adult will retain this patch and the cub will be driven off. I also reckon the cub will try and sneak back when he can. His wariness tonight is probably justified as he has clearly been in a few scrapes as you can see here.

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cubwound

The wound looks pretty clean, and there are also a few scuffs on his leg. Other than that he looked in good shape so has obviously been fending for himself pretty successfully. Nice though that he decided to show himself again. Just hope he doesn't leave it another month before calling by again.

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This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. zenya

    15 Sep 2005

    great photos and congrats on the return of the cub. They are lucky to have you waiting.

    Eve

  2. lokutus-prime

    16 Sep 2005

    dear Words,
    Very good photos! -I enjoy reading your accounts of these foxes. Although I live but a stone's throw from a country road, we have not been visited by any foxes. But we do have our resident frogs and on a regular basis a hedgehog pays us visits, walking with apparent ease under the 'door' at the side of our house leading to our long mature back garden, to then go on its rounds. For myself, I am very fond of our large trees and the 'bird life' that make their homes there and within the various hedges and thick bushes that abound in our garden. Now, if that sounded as if I was attempting to 'compete' with your stunning 'fox' pictures, and your very enjoyable 'naturalist' style of narrative description, then I have to say I am not. You are undoubtedly the 'champion' apropos the topic you write about, and those fascinating images are splendid.
    Well done,
    Best wishes,
    ~lokutus

  3. Words

    17 Sep 2005

    Lokutus

    Mainly I think we're just lucky with these two foxes. Most of them run as soon as they see us. We're fairly densely populated despite a semi rural setting, so territory is tight and they get used to mixing with humans. There is another adult that is coming in more frequently, but it dives for cover so I'm yet to get a picture. This is the first year we've had this level of contact. Our dog died in January (aged 15) and although the foxes did come in and out in the past they were much more wary. Now they get a clear run.

    I've not seen any hedgehogs this year, though our old dog used to spot them in the garden. He'd go crazy barking at them, but was far too cowardly ever to do any damage. Oddly, he was oblivious to the occasional fox that was lurking out there.

    Bird life here is good (though I've not seen nearly as many magpies as in previous years). My photos of birds are utterly dire by the way.

  4. Words

    17 Sep 2005

    Eve,

    Thanks for popping by. Yet to see if the cub will come back regularly… I suspect not as the adults kick them out at around this time of year. But if he does show, ues I'll be waiting 😉

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