Fern's Family 2011

Fern & Flynn have been visiting me for over a year now. Last year, they had 3 cubs and I was lucky enough to spend some very special time, watching them int the field next to my garden. Two of last year's cubs have stayed around, so I presume these must both be vixens. I understand that it is quite common for the female cubs to stay and help raise the next set of cubs. By April this year, it was obvious that Fern was lactating so I have been waiting... and hoping... that she would bring her new cubs to the field once again. On 2nd June, I got my first glimpse of one cub... with Tess.

This page aims to document the story as it unfolds......

I catch my first glimpse of a cub... out in daylight, with Tess. They were just there long enough for me to snatch a few photos from the upstairs window...

The magpie 'alarm' system alerted me to foxes in the field at about 8.30pm. Getting out the binoculars, I scanned the field. The grass is really long now, but I soon spotted Fern.... then a movement behind her! Yes, there was one cub. Suddenly another movement caught my eye on the far side of the field. I could see another two cubs! I was delighted. We had at least 3 cubs. They did not stay for long though and soon disappeared. As it got dark, I watched the camera set up in the field. What I captured was the best footage I have got from here and to say I was excited is an understatement! Fern bought not three, but four cubs to the camera, as well as the two cubs from last year. At one point there were 7 foxes on camera.

Today, I collected the Bushnell trail cam that I had set up facing what I thought might be a fox den. It i set up in the hedge bordering the field and it was difficult to position the Bushnell. It was pretty close to the den, so there is some IR 'whiteout'.... but some interesting bits of footage.....

I captured a few minutes footage of two cubs feeding and one adult.... big sister, I think....

On going to to collect my Bushnell camera, I disturb a cub sleeping in the field. As it 'ran' away, it seemed to be dragging its hind quarters. I then captire footage that confirms that this cub seems to have some kind of spinal injury. For more information, check out this page.

Have I finally located my fox den????