My Foxes ~ Instinct Pays Off!

[Ken's Deputy 4,462]

So, " Fox fox ", the nursing vixen, has now become so accustomed to my routine that she seems to have learned to come to the sound of certain bolts being shot, around 'The Right Time'.

However, shit's in constant flux now, time wise. Light's stretching fast. I'm learning to eat when I'm hungry ~ not wait till 20:00, or what ever. I could be performing my usual tasks anywhere between 17:00 and 20:00.

Couple of days ago, I was impressed to see her 'hiding' in the grass, waiting for me in very broad daylight. (Remember; I've only taken her feed out in the darkness, these last months)

Last night or two? No sign or her. But, a flick showed the chicks went after dusk. Today? I was a bit on the early side. But, I put her chicks and the soaked kibble out in what practically amounted to 'Late Afternoon', light wise.

  I looked out at the chicks, when I could. Then, they were gone. But, something just niggled.

  A pair of magpies were about. (Actually, a Third one swooped down. I watched it get Very swiftly shown the way out of Dodge!) Usual rooks and jackdaws. Didn't actually See any crows. But, still that niggle.

Rooks ignore chicks. Jackdaws I've yet to personally witness what they'd do. Magpies will take them. Crows? Absolutely. But, six day old chicken chicks? So fast? (How fast is fast? I was distracted by that curry. Still those 'pies out there. And Was that a rook I just saw swoop away from where the chicks were?

22:00. I've not been able to shake this monkey on my back. I thought about it. Defrosted six more chicks. Let the dogs out. Let them back in. Put my head light on and walked out there with the chicks.

  Boom! There's two little eyes! Seven foot to the side of the spot I put the chicks! I called her; " Come on, Fox fox. Here's your chicks. " Gave our code. It was Fox fox. She never moved an inch as I came out the gate, full beam on my head light. Pointing straight at her.

  Strolled out to her and put the chicks on the ground. Telling her her name and repeating our code. I could clearly see her, laying in the grass watching me. Walked away. Looked back at her jamming them into her mouth.

Felt good.

The fukking corvids had lifted her dinner. They too just see manna from heaven, obviously. My fault. But, thank Fukk for instinct! If I hadn't listened to that niggle, took another round out there ....?

Have to up my game now. I think I'll rely on Fox fox showing herself in daylight. If no show? I'll wait till bird bed time to put her food out.

Got emails, today. My eye bulgingly expensive battery charger will be here in the morning. And Ikea have finally got their eye on my batteries, ordered on the first!

Hopefully then; Trail cam back out soon. See what's what.

[Ken's Deputy 4,462]

This evening

 

 

[Astanley 11,644]

Great little vid ,but why have you put a porno soundtrack to it ?

[Ken's Deputy 4,462]

I know, Stan! It's fukking shocking, isn't it? I grunt and wheeze like a wounded warthog. Just the way I am, these days.

In fairness though; I'm holding the camera right up to my face, so I can see what It's seeing. And I'm getting on my knees and standing up. All the time with three hands full of gear. Sorry

 I thought of silencing it. But, I wanted to show how I wasn't sneaking around in some secret, ninja cloak of invisibility. Fox fox knows I'm there. Doing the 70's porn film sound track.

She's probably wondering the same thing too!

[shaaark 11,430]

23 hours ago, Ken's Deputy said:

So, " Fox fox ", the nursing vixen, has now become so accustomed to my routine that she seems to have learned to come to the sound of certain bolts being shot, around 'The Right Time'.

However, shit's in constant flux now, time wise. Light's stretching fast. I'm learning to eat when I'm hungry ~ not wait till 20:00, or what ever. I could be performing my usual tasks anywhere between 17:00 and 20:00.

Couple of days ago, I was impressed to see her 'hiding' in the grass, waiting for me in very broad daylight. (Remember; I've only taken her feed out in the darkness, these last months)

Last night or two? No sign or her. But, a flick showed the chicks went after dusk. Today? I was a bit on the early side. But, I put her chicks and the soaked kibble out in what practically amounted to 'Late Afternoon', light wise.

  I looked out at the chicks, when I could. Then, they were gone. But, something just niggled.

  A pair of magpies were about. (Actually, a Third one swooped down. I watched it get Very swiftly shown the way out of Dodge!) Usual rooks and jackdaws. Didn't actually See any crows. But, still that niggle.

Rooks ignore chicks. Jackdaws I've yet to personally witness what they'd do. Magpies will take them. Crows? Absolutely. But, six day old chicken chicks? So fast? (How fast is fast? I was distracted by that curry. Still those 'pies out there. And Was that a rook I just saw swoop away from where the chicks were?

22:00. I've not been able to shake this monkey on my back. I thought about it. Defrosted six more chicks. Let the dogs out. Let them back in. Put my head light on and walked out there with the chicks.

  Boom! There's two little eyes! Seven foot to the side of the spot I put the chicks! I called her; " Come on, Fox fox. Here's your chicks. " Gave our code. It was Fox fox. She never moved an inch as I came out the gate, full beam on my head light. Pointing straight at her.

  Strolled out to her and put the chicks on the ground. Telling her her name and repeating our code. I could clearly see her, laying in the grass watching me. Walked away. Looked back at her jamming them into her mouth.

Felt good.

The fukking corvids had lifted her dinner. They too just see manna from heaven, obviously. My fault. But, thank Fukk for instinct! If I hadn't listened to that niggle, took another round out there ....?

Have to up my game now. I think I'll rely on Fox fox showing herself in daylight. If no show? I'll wait till bird bed time to put her food out.

Got emails, today. My eye bulgingly expensive battery charger will be here in the morning. And Ikea have finally got their eye on my batteries, ordered on the first!

Hopefully then; Trail cam back out soon. See what's what.

Good to read that mate.  Anyway, you're starting to cost me money, my man!  Inspired by your texts, I've been 'actively' searching out not just 'al's kitchen, for more curries, but, inspired by your recent book purchase, about the foxes, I did the same, and took delivery of Robin Page's 'the fox and the orchid' 2nd edition, a few days ago.  Been meaning to get it for years, but life has a habit of getting in the way.  Yet to read it, but mrs gave birth to our youngest lad on 9th march, a month early, so probably won't get to read it for a while yet lol.

[iworkwhippets 13,165]

Yer blowing like a goodun mate I've been waiting of some decent clips and you clearly enjoy what you do pleased for you Ken 

[shaaark 11,430]

2 hours ago, Stockpot said:

Always amazes me how quickly wildlife is willing to accept human interaction when there's something in it for them, and it's easy to see how this could have played a part in the domestication of some species. In my younger, cocksure days, I would have been vehemently opposed to someone feeding what I grew up being told was vermin, something that was to be given no quarter. But with the passage of time I suppose comes wisdom and experience, and as I've aged I've become acutely aware of the fragility of life. I now appreciate these little interactions with wildlife more and more. Anyway, enough soppy sh#t! This came up on my Youtube recommendations the other day, thought you might find it interesting. 

 

 

Congratulations. Hope everyone's doing well.

Excellent post mate. 

Yep, everything's going great thanks mate.

[kanny 21,685]

One that used to visit my yard until it had a go at my cat , I never saw it again after that ....