Assisted by Derbyshire Fox rescue

Monday 24 January 2011

A SURPRISE VISITOR

It's been very quiet fox wise out on the cliffs the past few weeks as the vixens are absent and in their earths awaiting birth of cubs. Just a few regulars - most in need of help in one way or another.

However, tonight a surprise visitor - as I was kneeling down way out at the farthest northern point of our nightly patrol - I became aware of a presence to my right. Mr Cruisedog was some way off in another field but I sensed that it wasn't him - a sort of sixth sense which has only been acquired over many years of night walking, told me it was a wild animal. The animal moved in to perhaps five feet away and I could make out a young fox or vixen in immaculate condition. Moving very slowly, I reached in my bag for a chicken thigh (reserved for My Vixen or Meadow Vixen - my favourites) and threw it just in front of the fox. It snatched it up and dashed away into the darkness. I stayed perfectly still and sure enough, the fox came back after a few minutes. It took another two pieces of chicken and then disappeared as Mr Cruisedog sauntered up behind me. A perfectly wild fox which I had never seen before - another magical and rewarding moment out on the clifftops ...