This, below, is one of the Foxes that I feed in the mornings here in central Brighton. He, or she, is given a handful of dog food at about 5.30 am every day (after I've had my own breakfast). It's such a beautiful animal, and very healthy looking.
Mostly he/she comes alone, but occasionally brings a friend. I have no idea how many there are living nearby, but Lady M invariably sees a few when she takes Billy for his final evening walk of the day. Billy and the Foxes have an 'understanding'; they just sit and look at each other.
Meanwhile in France we also have Foxes; or at least I know that we have one. Here he/she has triggered the surveillance camera (below), whilst walking across the lawn under the Quince tree.
We don't see many Foxes in France, in fact I was very surprised to see this one. However, we did lose a whole run-full of 15 Chickens to a Fox one night, way back in the late 70's. I took the shotgun out into the woods quite often after that; but no sign.
I do like Foxes, they are beautiful animals. Of course they have to eat, and unfortunately they tend to enjoy the same things that we enjoy, Chicken, Duck, Lamb, etc; so one cannot be complacent.
We have plenty of Wild Boar, Deer and Badgers around the house in France, and it's good to know that we also have Foxes. A good variety of wildlife is a sign that all is well with the world (apart from Putin).
They are beautiful creatures but the best place for them is in towns. It's also for them as here they are shot on sight.
ReplyDeleteThey are far more destructive in the countryside than they are in towns. They do no harm at all here!
DeleteDicey subject whether to feed foxes. I'd say don't. You mention diversity of "wild" life to be welcomed. Indeed. However, by feeding them we make them dependent; hardly wild life any longer even if they do slink off into the night.
ReplyDeleteYou may also consider that leaving scraps in the garden will attract rats. Next, you'll find one in your kitchen. Good luck with that. I don't have anything against rats per se. You can't hold someone's looks against them. However, I do associate rats [and to some extent mice] being bearers of contamination and disease.
U
PS As to your unfortunate mention of Putin: There are far worse and less measured on the world's political stage. As history has taught us: Don't poke the bear. Throw him a carrot instead.
As one of the worst mass-murderers of our time, Putin is not on my Christmas Card list. But it doesn't surprise me that you show him some support.
DeleteWe don't have foxes over here. I suppose they couldn't swim that far.
ReplyDeleteDo you have Snakes? Creatures often hide on boats, rubber dinghies, etc, so maybe one day you'll be lucky enough to have some.
DeleteI am always surprised by how common foxes are in your gardens. Here they are few, invisible, and far away in nature.
ReplyDeleteThere has been an explosion of the Fox urban population. In the countryside they were kept under control by hunting, but since that has been banned they are now being shot or gassed. They seem to know what is going on, and have come to live in towns instead.
DeleteLovely that you've sprung an understanding with this fox. They are beautiful creatures..... as long as they're not eating your chickens.
ReplyDeleteYou have far more wild life in France than we do. Here there are plenty of tortoises, hedgehogs and a few snakes. No more pheasants alas
France is extremely wooded; perfect for most wildlife. Also very good for hunting.
DeleteFoxes are beautiful animals, they are a nuisance here as people feed them, they have bigger litters and their numbers grow, we have to ensure all rubbish is fox proof, something not all our neighbours do, so our streets become messy, as the same neighbours never pick up the mess.
ReplyDeleteI do wonder whether or not I should be feeding them. I like to think they are well-fed and healthy, but at the same time they can become a nuisance. Their population isn't controlled any more, so they are now everywhere.
DeleteI saw a large fox out at Mt Vernon a couple of weeks ago. They are pretty animals, and a part of the balance of nature.
ReplyDeleteA healthy Fox is a beautiful animal. But they are prone to 'mange' and can become quite scruffy looking. Their skins, complete with heads and tails, used to be very popular as lady's stoles. That fashion is now no more!
DeleteWhen the foxes take over, I suspect that you will be saved for feeding them.
ReplyDeleteThey'll be welcome to my old bones to chew on.
DeleteCro, we don't have foxes around here. But they are beautiful animals. We do get raccoons, possums, bobcats, coyotes, and feral cats. We don't have a problem with any of them... and we've been here 40 years.
ReplyDeleteMost wild animals are OK to live with. My wife's uncle was called upon to shoot a Tiger out in India, as it had become a man-eater, but we have no such creatures here!
DeleteI'll admit coyotes can be a problem... we consider our back yard area (on a creek) a Wildlife Sanctuary. We did put up coyote rollers on the back fence to keep them out (humanely) and help keep the smaller feral animals safe in our yard. This works for us. Each deal with things in their own way.
DeleteThe urban Coyote is a nightmare. Our post boxes are plastered with missing cat posters. The hares are missing.
ReplyDeleteWe have to go out with our 5kg princess just in case. The Coyotes can get over 6ft fences. We had one in the back garden earlier this year. They will lure and kill small to middle sized dogs.
Raccoons while cute to look at can be just as dangerous to domestic pets. Close to 50 years ago, a friend heard screams coming from the stream at the edge of their garden. Yup, a raccoon had the guest Mexican Hairless in a death grip and was either washing it or trying to drown it.
Our nephew had a raccoon get into his attic. That was fun to get rid off.
People here accuse Foxes of killing Cats, but I think it's a myth. I've heard about Coyotes being a pest; is there not a 'sonic' deterrent? There are for most creatures.
DeleteWildlife can be found in most places.
ReplyDeleteAs open land and woodlands decrease, the wildlife move to more built-up areas.
Sharing space with wildlife has become important.
A couple of years ago Billy found a baby Deer and brought it to see us. It soon scampered off, but it was a really wonderful moment.
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