Help! fox info needed

[jamescherowbrier]

i starting to think that my encounter with that particular fox was a fluke. Something has come back for the food each night after i leave and i am suspecting a fox because of the distinct smell that it leaves, but i think that the 6pm call to the allotment may have been a one off. i stayed from 5-10pm last night in Barbaras shed and a saw or heard nothing. One thing that i am suspicious of is the fact that the fox i saw last thursday was deffiantly a different fox to the one i had seen a few months ago in the same area. so this one may have been a passer through?
One good sign today though was that on inspecting the allotments grounds as i occasionally do to try and get lucky, in a thickly overgrown part of an abandoned allotment i noticed a distinct tunnel through a bramble bush that looked extremely well used. the tunnel shape is larger than a cat or rabbit would leave and the surrounding undergrowth is well trodden as if something maybe lies down in the long grass to rest or sunbath. unfortunatly the tunnel goes to far into the brambles for me to see if there is a den or anything, but it looks like it maybe worth a stakeout. what do people think?
i know the signs i should be looking for but like i've said it's very overgrown.

[posie]

This could be a den further in than you can see, or it might be a route that the fox takes on it's regular travels. Don't be tempted to put food there by the thicket, in case it is the entrance to a den, 'cos it would tempt other foxes etc to go there which would not impress the residents of the 'den', if that's what it is. I've just come in from outside, and there was one fox skulking around next door, they've god a donkey due today to foal, and I wonder if the fox senses this and is waiting to gobble up the afterbirth, they can smell when a mammal's hormones change prior to giving birth....There was also another fox hunting on the field on the other side , I picked it up in my torch beam when checking where my horses were. There are loads of vole/mouse holes in the bank of the ditch along one side of this field, so I guess he/she was vole hunting. For the last several sunny days I have been observing one fox from 9.30 to about 12 noon, sunbathing and sleeping in a sunny spot across the paddock, up against a thicket, but today she wasn't there so I am wondering if she had her cubs last night..her den is within this thicket........Posie.....

[jo84]

Hi,
I'm currently studying an MA in Wildlife Documentary and about to start filming in June til August my final project on foxes and Sarcoptic mange. I am currently trying to find an active den close to manchester/cheshire, based in an urban setting. Also if you know of a mangy fox please let me know. I'm working at a local Wildlife Hospital and they treat foxes with mange and part of the films story is the capture, treatment and release of a mangy fox.

I would really appreciate any help you could give me, cheers, take care, Jo

[jamescherowbrier]

Hi Jo,

sorry for the late reply. I have a number of contacts that are absolutely perfect for filming opportunities including some people who rescue foxes which i would be happy to pass over to you. i worked more in staffordshire but thats not to far from your location. if you want to send me a private message telling me exactly what kinds of things you are looking for i can see how i can help. One piece of advice if you are filming wild foxes is that it will most likely take a very long time as well as a lot of early mornings to film.

good luck

[jo84]

Hi James,
I thought I had sent a response, but not sure it actually went through. Yeah that would be great, any help you can give me would be much appreciated, I'm struggling a bit in manchester, not many people are willing to help. Haigh Country Park are allowing me to film there and they have a few dens but not seen any activity yet. I've seen foxes roaming around the park though. I really need a den where the foxes spend a bit of time sat just outside the den. The age of the cubs is not an issue. Also if you are free and are interested in being involved in my project as well, you would be very welcome. My contact number is 07835477164, I have filming equipment for June and July, but limited as to when I have sound kit. Ok I look forward to hearing from you, take care, Jo