fox watching

[wild sam]

does any one have tips to help me spot a fox

[Hedge Witch]

Camo is your man, young Sam Hopefully he'll spot your thread soon, unless he's too busy out celebrating his 500th (post that is, LOL).

[camo]

Hi Sam

Sorry I have only just spotted your latest post I was watching the football however I am now back onto wild stuff. I remember your first posts and I am glad you are still as keen, however slightly disapointed you haven't seen one yet.

Fox are surprisngly difficult to watch although they are not uncommon. I appreciate your age so your opportunities to go snooping about at dawn and dusk might be limited by your mum. However I would suggest two ways of seeing a fox. Fox are harder than say Badgers because they are far more nomadic however they will use an earth from one year to another so when you find an earth it is worth checking it out in future years.

The first is to get out and walk as early in the morning or as late in the evening as you are allowed. You need to be aware of the wind direction and try to move with the wind in your face or on one of your cheeks this will take your scent away from you and will not alert the Fox. Also camoflage works but try also to cover your hands and face. Do not be in too much of a hurry to cover too much ground and concentrate on areas where you have heard or have seen tracks or droppings and there is Fox food which at the moment will be rabbits and Pheasants. It is likely at this time a vixen will have cubs but too early to bring them above ground so now is a good time to find an earth. If you see a fox do not let it see you and watch it from as far away as possible so that you can watch it go back to its earth. If you find an earth as the cubs get older you will find lots of remnants of food outside of its hole. You will also find as they play cubs will roll on the grass and flatten it. As you walk around check any sizeable holes and watch out for old bones feathers and flattened grass. A fox tends to choose holes that are hidden from general view which makes them harder to find but easier to creep up on. They will often take over an old Badger sett and if the hole is in a hollow with an area where cubs can play without being seen that is perfect. As you walk around watch out for droppings and have a good look at them it is likely they will show you what they are feeding on. You will also notice fox scent and this is often where they mark their territory and will be a regular scenting area. If you find an Earth don't tell anyone and watch the earth from down wind and well hidden. As long as you don't jump around you will get some views.

The second method is to pick a wood where you have either heard or seen signs of Fox and pick a position on the side of wood where wind blows away from you and the wood. Try to hide your self on a path where you can see for some distance. Well hidden you can either wait and see what turns up or squeak one in. This is done by mimicing an injured Rabbit, using either a piece of polystyrene on a jam jar or by making a squeaking noise with your mouth on the back of your hand. If you squeak do not do it too often and give the Fox a chance to respond.

You will eventually see a fox but they often do not come when you most want them, however if you are quiet and comflaged you will see lots of other things whilst you wait for a Fox to come along.

Good luck and tell us when you find one.

Roy

[Blackdogjnr]

Excellent advice there.

I too have been trying to see a fox for some time now Sam...
I have noticed tracks and droppings in our woods and during the snow the other month even followed tracks...

I think I need to set my alarm this weekend and get up really early and try and get a glimpse!

Is it advised to take dogfood or chicken or anything to encourage them out of cover?

[camo]

Hi Blackdog

Its a nice thought but whilst Urban Foxes might be attracted to dogfood and chicken a rural fox will view such a gift with great suspicion. Mammal watching can be extremly frustrating as you do a lot of waiting for very little viewing and you do have to have a lot of patience. The short cut to watching mammals is to put yourself in a good position in such a way as they may not detect you. If you are in say a wood with Reynard (old english name for a fox) present you can attract a Charlie (local name for a Fox) by squeaking. The problem with trying to attract a Fox with food is that your own scent will be mixed with the food and you need to do everything possible to be down wind of your fox.

A good position is some where there is a high likelihood of fox which is either where they feed, sleep or patrol. Such a way is to hide yourself and your scent using camoflage, hides knowing where your scent is blowing and moving in such a way as to blend in with the surroundings.

The real prize in watching Fox is to find an Earth with cubs present an to do this you need to work out the clues an when you suspect an Earth is present watch it say late afternoon form a position where you will not disturb the Vixen. If the Vixen is alerted to you she may move the cubs and in doing so she will put them at risk so there is great responsibility in watching an earth and you should not take advantage of such a privilage.

Good luck to you both and you must remember that along the way you will see a lot more than just Fox.

Roy

[Jim Ford]

A fox had our favourite bantam the other day! The bantam was a Malaysian Serama - about the size of a collared dove.

Jim