Early hours Wednesday Dec 22nd :

A frosty wonderland greeted us as we entered the meadow leading to the cliffs. With no wind - which is the killer at low temperatures - it was surprisingly 'warm' even at minus 4 Celcius and the virtually full moon overhead made spotting easy. Four first season dog foxes closed on us and two of them skirmished aggressively - still competing for top slot in their group. 'Limper' - my crippled dog fox - had to be called and appeared after a few minutes though he was disturbed by two other regulars who had also heard the calls. For three nights both Mr Cruisedog and I have been observed by an unknown fox some quarter of a mile away high up in the woods. Its eyes can be seen reflecting from my LED headlight - and it never changes position - merely holding station and watching as my foxes come and go. It's always fascinating and quite exciting when a newcomer appears and we'll see what happens. Just under 2 hours out on the cliffs and it is startling how the time flits by when we are out each night. Mr Cruisedog never tires of our nightly adventures and waits patiently untethered even if I'm up to 50 yards away ...

MONDAY 01:55 hrs - just back from the Night Patrol

The foxes know that bad weather's approaching - they were out in force to stock up with chub and chicken scraps. Meadow Vixen appeared suddenly by my side while we were en route and was clearly not relishing the biting wind sweeping in from the sea. Normally very timid foxes were coming in close to ensure a meal - snatching a mouthful and fleeing into the night. My crippled dog fox Limper was given a special treat - Mr Cruisedog's lamb bone with plenty of fat still left on it (Mr Cruisedog is not allowed fat or oily chicken as it always makes him sick) .. Mr Cruisedog watching intently untethered as always and didn't make a fuss. Yes, they definitely knew about the snow coming in a few hours from now but hopefully it will thaw quickly with temps. of +4C forecast.

A flurry of long tailed tits on the bird table

Another mini epic out on the cliffs

Sustained drizzle throughout our Night Patrol on the cliff paths and Mr Cruisedog was pretty wet on getting back. Foxes were thin on the ground but Meadow Vixen made her second appearance within three nights, bounding towards me enthusiastically to be rewarded with freshly cooked and still warm chicken thighs. After feeding the cattle (once more) in the barn, I realized that one of the plastic food bags was missing and a by now bedraggled Mr Cruisedog and I (also bedraggled) had to retrace our footsteps to find it. A mile away, we found it - minus the food - as an alert fox must have found it soon after I dropped it ... never mind, the bag was the most important thing as any sort of plastic could cause an animal to choke on it. Temperature now a balmy +6C and much better for all of us ...

First cattle feed of the winter

Mr Cruisedog and I were out longer than usual with extra tasks to perform. Not many foxes abroad as after a protracted spell of rain earlier, many were loath to venture out. A couple of 'strange' foxes (strange as in aware of our presence and knowing the game but not prepared to approach, preferring to stay at some distance and move in when we depart) in evidence but the real news was the sighting of a single badger boar - the first badger seen in nearly 3 weeks ... though I knew they were visiting as the banana was disappearing soon after being put down - foxes (or rats for that matter) rarely take bananas. The cows have now been put under cover in the barn and needed feeding as they had eaten their way through the bales of hay put up against the outside rail and could no longer reach the rest. Mr Cruisedog sat patiently watching as I peeled off several large layers of compacted hay to feed the ever-hungry cows. As we wended our way back up the hill, the skies had begun to clear and the wet lane was starting to freeze as the temperature dropped away. Final score: 6 foxes, 1 badger and a low-flying barn owl sighted.

Keeping a count from Dec 1st

A few strange events taking place since November 12th when My Vixen disappeared and then November 25th Meadow Vixen was last fed in the top meadow. Now decided to log all sightings. Eight stations will be recorded. So far: Dec 1st (after midnight each time) 8 foxes 0 badgers. Dec 2nd 9F 0B. New fox sighted at last station (B) - seemed to know me and Mr Cruisedog and approached to take food. Cold but dry.