August/September is the time of year that young foxes are generally becoming fully independent and although they are still very much around, their behaviour changes and they tend to behave more like adults (i.e. cautiously). Part of this behaviour is territorial. The youngsters need to find their own range and to do so they compete with all the other local foxes. I first noticed this in 2005 when the young cub Blondie (son of the Old Dog Fox) vanished in mid-August and only showed up one more time after that. We'd seen the adult's behaviour change over the months. Initially he was a perfectly attentive parent but as autumn approached he adopted a much more aggressive stance designed to drive the young rival away.
Last year the pattern was slightly different and the adult was rarely seen at all. The majority of the cubs (5 survived the summer) had moved away by September, leaving only Roofy in the territory. So I've not been surprised by the reduction in fox sightings as we move into autumn.
When I last saw the young fox (23rd August) his rear leg limp had recovered, but he was carrying his right fore leg. Again, this isn't unusual. Foxes are prone to injury, either through falls from height (watching a fox in a tree makes you realize just how easily they can hurt themselves) or altercations with cars (the commonest cause of urban fox death). Research carried out in Bristol a few years ago found that about 70% of foxes over 5 years old had sustained a broken bone at some time (data from Urban Foxes by Stephen Harris and Phil Baker). Foxes are very adept at managing with these injuries which often heal without intervention. And with intervention even more remarkable recoveries are possible. Our local rescue centre released a three-legged one-eyed fox (road accident victim) over a year ago and it was later reported to be raising young.
So to come up to date on the local foxes. Roofy hasn't been seen for over a month, but we've had fleeting sightings of at least one of the shy cubs (you can tell by the white tip on the brush). And the bolder cub is still around, though much less frequent a visitor. He did however show up yesterday late afternoon. He's still limping slightly on the front leg, but his coat and brush are already beginning to thicken up for winter. Overall he looked in good shape.
Mickeyjoe-Irl
3 Sep 2007Had to happen I guess. It will be interesting to see who stays and who moves on.
Vulpes vulpes
3 Sep 2007Interesting update.
Flying Red Fox Blog
3 Sep 2007Yes i hope Roofy will be back again with a new set of cubs but we will have to wait and see:D
Lovelly last pic, he sure loves to pose.
SittingFox
4 Sep 2007Hmm, the limping and disappearing time of year again. Yes, it will be interesting to see how this all works out.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the foxes in the North Downs are faring. There's been several sightings of a one-eyed fox there, which presumably is the same one I photographed just before leaving for Canada.
Words
5 Sep 2007Update to the update:
The young fox was back today. Briefly around in the afternoon and then for about 35 minutes late this evening (which proably gives me enough photos for the next month or so 😉 ). The limp wasn't evident tonight, but there is a small wound on his flank (very minor) which I think has been there a while. So he's in fine fettle it seems.
sedara
5 Sep 2007Beautiful sensitive stuff. Keep up the good work.
Tervicz
6 Sep 2007I once heard that when it's time for pups to go their own way, it's the parent foxes that actually leave.
Words
6 Sep 2007Tervicz, from what I've seen the parents move away from the birth den quite quickly, but stay in the territory to guard/feed the young. Then it seems to become a fight to see who stays in the den. Vixens do quite well at this stage!