Becbla the blind vixen - A Christmas Story

Christmas Day began early for myself and So Cruise as we set off for our Night Patrol around Maidencombe just after midnight. There was an extra present in my back pack - a generous slice off So Cruise's Christmas dinner - a leg of lamb. In a fairytale world, its recipient was to be Becbla, my totally blind vixen who depended on me for food. She had gradually lost sight over a period of months, but fortunately had known me when sighted and had taken food at quite close quarters. I was only hopeful that she would be able to take this prize as many factors conspired against her on a nightly basis. She no longer came close, preferring to wait some way off and relying on me to throw her food from anything up to 25 yards. If other foxes were in the vicinity, they would dash up and snatch the food from her jaws as she was unable to defend herself. Her only advantage was her sex - a blind dog fox would have little chance of survival and would be attacked and killed. I had seen her running alongside younger foxes and was fairly sure she had been an 'auntie' in the upbringing of these younger foxes. We arrived at the designated field system just before 1 am and So Cruise, my faithful collie cross, sat and waited as I set off down the side of the hill to see if Becbla was in the vicinity. A quick sweep with a high intensity beam revealed her lying down some 60 yards away and she retreated into a hedgerow as soon as the beam illuminated her - being sensitive to light. Turning my head torch off, I advanced slowly towards the spot where she had been. About 30 yards away, I stopped and waited, knowing from experience that she would probably emerge in a few minutes time - though perhaps in a different area. I was aware of another fox watching me from higher up the field which didn't help matters. If it saw me throw the meat, it would be on it in an instant. Several minutes passed and I was on the point of giving up when the clouds cleared and the area was lit up by a 90% waxing gibbous moon overhead. Then suddenly, I spotted a movement in the hedge about 30 yards off - at the extreme range for throwing accurately. It was now or never, and I threw the meat with a whispered prayer. As the meat was still arcing in the air I whirled and shone my head torch straight at the other watching fox. Dazzled, it turned and fled. Wheeling, I could just make out Becbla searching for the meat which she had heard hit the ground a few feet away. She probed the ground for a few seconds and then I saw her lift her head with the meat in her mouth and she then immediately turned and disappeared with her Christmas meal. The whole episode had seemed to be only a matter of a few minutes, but when I looked at my watch I was surprised to see that it had lasted all of twenty minutes. I hastened up the hill to find So Cruise still waiting patiently for me. As we continued our journey, I reflected on the magical quality of the night and the oh so real Christmas Day story of Becbla, the blind vixen. Her taking of the lamb treat the best Christmas present of them all ...

The blind fox

Our Night Patrol has become much more difficult with one of my foxes which is now completely blind. I noticed a marked dimming of one of its eyes a few months ago and then it failed shortly after.  To my great concern, the other eye followed suit until sight was lost about three weeks ago.  Fortunately,  it had the memory of me and had approached quite close to take food.   The problem now was with the other foxes.  As soon as I threw some food to the afflicted animal,  a fox would 'mug' it, snatching the food from its mouth.
One night, I lost patience (never happened in over 35 years) and chased the offending fox around the field.  This was mightily effective - up to a point.  Not only did all the other foxes retreat the following nights, but the blind fox also was scared by my antics and did not approach as close as before.
Nevertheless,  Mr Cruisedog and I have a workable plan.  I have two head torches, one giving a broad, diffused pool of light and the other a piercing long distance (180 lumen) beam for spotting animals far off. Usually, the broad beam will pick out all animals close or far by picking out their reflective eyes but that doesn't work with the blind fox for obvious reasons.  I use the long beam to pick out the location of the blind fox but have to immediately switch it off as the fox must still have some sense of light and retreats.  Then it's a case of how accurately I throw the food to the fox - if it doesn't land within about two metres, the fox cannot locate it.   So far, the fox has been fed every night for the past week, so fingers crossed.  It probably will not survive the winter, but I would hate for it to starve to death.

Set fair for the winter

Heavy rain Thursday and Friday night saw notable absentees from our nightly rounds.  The one-eyed vixen (lost sight in one eye after injury sustained in either a fight or trailing bramble), in fine condition, thought it prudent to stay under cover and the virtually sightless fox (unsure how - seems to have lost sight gradually) was discouraged from venturing out.
However, all was well when Mr Cruisedog and I went out tonight (early hours Sunday) with both of these animals appearing.  All foxes and badgers are in good condition to see out the winter - the main blessing being the absence of sarcoptic mange in the fox population this year.

Autumn approaches in the combe

Badger and fox population in good order as autumn approaches in the combe.  The one-eyed badger boar is well as is the one-eyed vixen which resides close to my garden.  A limping fox has been observed the past few weeks, a recurring ailment I have noticed with foxes.  Taking their lead from the one-eyed boar, other badgers are bold enough to take bananas from my hand.  Hope to start getting some video footage to post soon.

New foxes in the combe

The latest batch of fox cubs have been evident at one location of our nightly rounds for some time now.  Most have dispersed to forage for food by themselves but two rather malnourished foxes still remain close by their parents and 'auntie' vixens, seemingly unable or unwilling to go it alone.  Only in the last week or so has one very young fox (approx. 4 months) picked up scraps of chicken thrown to it rather than waiting for another fox to take the food and then chase after it screaming to be given some.  I'll try and post some footage in the next few nights.   Badgers are all healthy and quite troublesome as they advance fearlessly to grab food from the foxes after wolfing their own supply down.  Now with food freely available, I will be cutting down on distributing food, only giving to the more timid or malnourished animals.  Fingers crossed, no signs of mange in all my foxes the past winter and now.

Return of the one-eyed badger boar

After being missing for well over3 months and fearing the worst, the celebrated boar appeared in the early hours of today.  Looking thin, he had to be cajoled to approach me, but did so and took some food.  He was accompanied by two other badgers, one a sow and the other a younger male.  Mightily relieved and I'll try and film him if he makes another visit tonight.