Mysterious Activity

10pmix · #1 (**permalink**) 15-10-2008, 10:58 AM

Over the last few weeks my partner and I have been finding our gardening gloves buried around the garden in flowerbeds and planters. The last one we found was right at the bottom of a planter about 8 inches down and completely covered over. The gloves are usually taken from a shelf in an open outbuilding. We have many squirrels and the odd cat in our garden but have no access for foxes or dogs. Who is the culprit? And why are they doing it?

I should add that this is an animal, not the neighbours playing pranks on us!

Thanks
Rob

handyman · #2 (**permalink**) 15-10-2008, 02:05 PM

Hello 10pmix, welcome to the forum!

My money is on the squirrels, as I watch these in our garden getting up to all sorts of antics.

Why should they bury the gloves? Are the gloves made of fabric and have you been handling plants that they may use as a food source? Was anything else buried with the gloves? Acorns? Hazelnuts?

Our cats chase the squirrels but are not fast enough to catch these natural gymnasts.

I cannot imagine cats burying your gloves, although, in the wild, they will bury food as reserves. Foxes also do the same thing. Can you be sure that foxes are not getting access? They can scale very high fences, hedges are no defence!

Will be interested to know the answer. Best way to find out is to stay up all night with a set of nightvision binoculars. You may be quite amazed who uses 'your' garden when your tucked up in bed. I've done the same with a time lapse camera with infra-red and was stagger by the interlopers, but we are in a semi-rural area.

Handyman

Lancashire Lad · #3 (**permalink**) 15-10-2008, 02:19 PM

My money's on foxes. They have a propensity to bury gloves that knows no bounds.

In fact, our local woods are full of - foxgloves.

(Sorry, just couldn't resist).
Mike.

The Woodman · #4 (**permalink**) 15-10-2008, 04:35 PM

Sounds very much like Jebsters to me. They like gloves that have been handling fallen or rotten apples.

Badgerman · #5 (**permalink**) 15-10-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

My money's on foxes. They have a propensity to bury gloves that knows no bounds.

In fact, our local woods are full of - foxgloves.

(Sorry, just couldn't resist).
Mike.

You would be right

Foxes do tend to pick on weird objects to bury. The glove possibly looks like food to the Fox. Foxes will takes all sorts of waste, and bury for later consumption, especially during the autunm and winter.

They are quite agile to, and though your Garden seems Fox proof, it allows the Cats in

galanthus · #6 (**permalink**) 15-10-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancashire Lad

my Money's On Foxes. They Have A Propensity To Bury Gloves That Knows No Bounds.

In Fact, Our Local Woods Are Full Of - Foxgloves. :d :d :d

(sorry, Just Couldn't Resist).
Mike.

:d :d :d

caladina · #7 (**permalink**) 15-10-2008, 09:48 PM

had you been handeling tomato plants before the gloves got burried?

i have seen a Fox rip off a plastic car wheeltrim and keep pouncing on it, i can only asumme that it was attacking a sent left by a cat or dog

handyman · #8 (**permalink**) 16-10-2008, 12:07 AM

Mike, very funny, I cannot stop laughing!

If it is Mr Reynard, he always leaves a calling card, at least in our garden, as it is supposed to scare off any other creature who may be interested in what he has buried. You'll know he has left it once you've trodden in it! Phew!

Handyman

10pmix · #9 (**permalink**) 16-10-2008, 09:27 AM

Thanks for the great many replies (and the terrible joke!).

The gloves would have indeed been used for collecting fallen apples (but not tomato plants). The gloves are fairly big thick ones (suede material) so I would have thought a bit too much effort for squirrels certainly given the depth of burial.

Foxes it could well be then. We do have them in our street and they do use our front garden as a toilet from time to time. However, our garden is surrounded by a 10 foot brick wall around three sides and a 6ft wooden fence on the other. So they must be coming over the fence? (no signs of tunnelling under). If so I am impressed! I shall organise a night shift soon and let you know who I see!

Thanks again
Rob

sometimes · #10 (**permalink**) 16-10-2008, 10:20 AM

how do you find them?

tie a small piece of ribbon/string around them and hang a small bell, (like you might get on a pet's collar or child's rattle). on the other end, you should hear them being disturbed. When they are, cock the shotgun, turn on the halogens and blast away.

daffy66 · #11 (**permalink**) 25-10-2008, 10:02 PM

Halogens are no good, you need infra red lights gives you more time to line em up!

gez · #12 (**permalink**) 26-10-2008, 07:57 PM

I would say this is Fox 100% ive seen it many times, & also when out & about a sure way to find Fox sets & areas of hige Fox use is to look for gloves esp in urban areas, more so if the gloves are leather. gez

Cypress · #13 (**permalink**) 28-10-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sometimes

how do you find them?

tie a small piece of ribbon/string around them and hang a small bell, (like you might get on a pet's collar or child's rattle). on the other end, you should hear them being disturbed. When they are, cock the shotgun, turn on the halogens and blast away.

Charming...

Foxes are very good at jumping fences 10pmix, they won't have a problem with your 6 foot fence

Have you caught them in the act yet?