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Just for the hell of it following some chat about foxes on Twitter with DaveC, PS and Stepdoh - some pics from Edinburgh, starting with today's canal fox...
Vixen of Fox Green by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Fox at the Door by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Fox in the Snow by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Fox On the Run by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Garden Fox by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Vixen by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Foxy Ears by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
That one on the henhouse is epic, as the kids say.
I saw one tonight at entrance to Saughton Park at Stenhouse end. Standing in well lit drive, well fed, no fear.
Got stared out by a fox on way back from the lock-up around quarter past five. It was crossing from the railway to a back green, slap bang in middle of access road to garages. Didn't quite know what to make of me on the bike. I stopped and we stared at each other for a while, then the fox turned and went on its way.
Cracking photos anth.
Saw one last weekend as we walked up to the bus stop about 6pm - walked past us across the road - had a wee look, but no fear.
January is mating season, we sometimes hear them screeching out the back.
Lovely animals, and generally pretty harmless to the human. Apparently around 50% of foxes are killed by motor vehicles.
Remember everyone used to say the urban fox would die out once wheelie bins were introduced?
In our large, tree rimmed and bushy perimeter yard (work !)we had a fox that would almost take food out of the security guards hands, a feral cat and the fox could be seen sharing cast of sandwiches, together . I have personally seen the security guard doing a pied pied piper imperonation with both the cat and fox walking in a straight line behind him ! Also, the foxes and the numerous rabbits seem to get on ok, the foxes can be seen, regularly walking across grass where the rabbits just lollop a couple of feet away and continue to eat the grass !Clearly they know that cause the food sources provided by man are plentifull, they dont need to use energy to catch it ! We also have birds in the warehouse that must never leave, in their whole life ! (despite the best efforts of pest control companies !)They have high roosting/nesting positions, and plenty of food , skips and buckets all over. Dont get me wrong, the warehouse is spottless but always there is spillage !They cant get past the "air doors" so they must just stay inside !
scott
That's brilliant splitshift! I think we've got a couple of new, young foxes about. They're a bit more wary than the old fox that my neighbour was saying he saw at the weekend and looks like it's on its way out. But it also means that they won't know yet how hard it is to get into the chicken run, so will probably be showing a bit of interest in the chickens.
Vigilance at all times chaps!
Meant to post the video of our cat chasing the fox last night.
And Nelly, yeah, the wheelie bin of doom as far as foxes were concerned. Looking like a bit of a false hope on the part of some.
Don't know about the foxes, but I *think* since the introduction of the skip bins in Leith we don't get the MASSIVE albatross-esque seagulls we used to have. But that may be just in my head.
That's one healthy looking fox at the top anth. Suspect the mild winter may have helped.
Yeah, definitely looking healthier this year than last (although the really mangey fox I saw quite a few times seemed to rally and recover).
I've been pointed in the direction of a Duddingston pack (seven of them in view at one point)
Acting Cute by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Triple Fox by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Scratch by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Sleepy by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Downhill by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Hi all,
I’ve just been reading your fantastic discussion about urban foxes in Edinburgh and looking at your beautiful pictures.
I’m writing from a television company called Windfall films and we are currently making a series of programs all about urban foxes. We are looking for good groups of urban foxes to film (to find out where they go and what they do) and we are potentially looking to find urban fox dens taht we can watch. We are also looking for interesting stories about foxes and people who regularly see urban foxes.
The photo of the fox on the chicken coup is brilliant and I would be really interested in finding out more about this. Is this something that you regularly see and are you worried about your chickens? Are you doing anything to deter the foxes or do you think the chickens are safe!? I would also love to see the video of a cat chasing a fox!
We are really interested in foxes interacting with pets and would love to hear about any stories along these lines or see any videos or photos.
Also I really love Scott’s story about the security guard. Do you know if the fox and the feral cat are still with him? Or does he have any other foxes with him at the moment?
If anyone has anything they would like to share with me or is potentially interested in getting involved in our program then either reply to this post of feel free to send a personal e-mail to: kelly@windfallfilms.com
I look forward to hearing from you!
Best wishes,
Kelly
Okay, time for a cute overload...
Cub2 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Cub3 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Cub6 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Cub7 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Cub8 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Saw the cubs again this morning - pondering how I can get a clearer view, but I don't think it's possible without potential disturbance, as the foxes are out at pretty much all times of day.
More cub action
FoxCub2 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
FoxCub4 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
FoxCub5 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
FoxCub6 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
FoxCub7 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!
The other day I saw a fox on the back green just nosing about while two young boy played football not 20m away! Back home on the farm we had a slightly different relationship...
Slightly different 'issues' with the foxes out at the farm...
I'm friends with a very toff toff who on seeing some of my fox photos said that's why hunts have to go ahead. I did query how hunting foxes in the countryside would mean fewer urban foxes. Had visiosn of men in red jackets with bugles riding all over the city - actually, I think he'd like that thought...
At the risk of starting a helmet-esque thread... I've actually got no problem with control of fox numbers in the countryside where they can be a genuine problem for farmers - it's the taking pleasure in the activity, and doing it in a way that causes the most distress and pain to the animal that I don't like. Shoot them, fine; set a pack of dogs to chase them for miles over the hills before tearing it to pieces... Surely we're beyond such bloodlust.
I don't mind them killing them, as long as they eat them.
That's certainly another aspect SRD.
Like grouse shooting, fine if you're going to eat the bird after - if you're killing it for the sake of something to shoot only then please go clay pigeon shooting (and don't bleat on about it being the 'hunt', grouse shooting, with the little gun stations and beaters stirring up the birds into your path is just as contrived as shouting 'pull').
At least until it's shot that grouse has had the chance to live a wild and free life.
I have just been made aware of a skulk of foxes behind St Andrew's House. I was able to see them this morning from my desk but I was without camera. I hope to photgraph them over the next couple of days.
I know a couple of people who work there, any hints on the location? One of them certainly would be really interested to see them!
I think urban foxes have almost the opposite problem of country foxes. People think they are fluffy and cute and do everything they can to feed and encourage them. Then they get all shocked when the fox walks into their house and bites their baby's head off and start demanding that they be killed.
"... walks into their house and bites their baby's head off... "
Allegedly. Still think there was something odd about that case. Especially the length of time before it came out, quietly, that they have a family dog that had bitten someone in the past...
But yes, people do encourage foxes too much, without really thinking about the fact that they are wild animals. That said, I've also got bird feeders in the garden, and blue tits nesting in a bird box I put up, which is essentially the same thing - helping out 'wild' nature in the city thereby skewing nature's balance (which we also do by building cities and countless other actions), so I'm not averse to helping out the foxes now and again - but don't ever think that they're 'tame'.
I am not sure that blue tits can really be compared to foxes. I love eagles and want to help them but I wouldn't encourage them in to my garden!
Think Min might have a point...
Erm. Yes. I basically agreed with you...
When I said, "people do encourage foxes too much, without really thinking about the fact that they are wild animals" and "don't ever think that they're 'tame'"...
The blue tit example was simply an example of us, as humans, skewing nature in the cities. But that people shouldn't treat foxes like they treat blue tits.
And I'm not sure I did actually say that people should encourage foxes into their gardens either!
I'm sure, in terms of numbers, 'pet' dogs do more harm than foxes - hard to know about 'rogue' percentages though.
Some people hate seagulls - especially if they nest on their roofs or aggressively steal their chips.
I really like them gliding past my window and dancing in loose formation.
But the whole wild/tame wild/neat thing is always interesting in urban/rural ways.
For some people Princes Street Gardens or The Meadows is about as much 'country' as they can handle!
I'd like to see a bit less uniformly mown grass, but wish CEC would put a bit more money into (for instance) Saughton Gardens.
Also the Council has owned most of the Redhall Estate for almost a century. It could never be returned to what it had been in previous centuries - planned parkland for the benefit of its owners - but a bit less neglect might be beneficial for humans and wildlife.
@SRD - I don't fancy mouse (probably not much eating on them), yet I'm happy to kill them in the house.
Eating culled animals only works with some species (rabbit, deer).
How about making sure the culled foxes don't go to waste by using the fur?
(where's the very wicked grin smiley?)
Robert
Since I eat meat, I have no problem with wearing fur. I wear leather after all.
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