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Thursday 29 January 2009

Urban Foxes


Sorry for the lack of updates recently, bit pushed at work and a little localised problem which needed tackling has taken over most of my time recently. All sorted now. But I've still been out and about.


On Saturday on a walk up Duncliffe Wood in Dorset, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was the highlight of a huge number of passerines in the wood. It could almost have been spring there were so many Great and Blue tits calling. Many many Buzzards floating about down here at the moment, and last weekend without having time to do this properly and submit to the RSPB Garden Watch, in the garden I was staying at about a dozen Rooks, half dozen Jackdaws and single Carrion Crow came to food scraps.


But the best piece of wildlife watching has been walking into work. Twice now I've startled an urban Fox, one of which was very tame and just stood looking at me before walking off. It's good to see them again, as although Bristol had a good urban Fox population they contracted mange a few years back which almost wiped out the population. I've got my camera with me now, so if I see them again, a piccy for the Blog.

More on Bristol Foxes can be found here - Mammal Research Unit


More from me at the weekend, but for now I'm in preparation mode for my first ever attendance at the Avon Wildlife Trust Board Meeting tonight... I'm agenda item 6a Welcome to Andrew, newly elected Trustee etc etc.. I hope they're ready for me (especially as I've now shaved my beard off) !!

8 comments:

  1. I bumped into a fox today Andrew. got a fuzzy photo, lovely animals.

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  2. I've been keeping a close eye on my garden urban foxes recently. We had a new visitor the other night (I will post a short clip). I've never seen a fox with so much mange. I hope he doesn't infect my lot because they are so healthy looking at the moment.

    Good luck at the Trustee meeting! Did you shave the beard off especially to impress them??? :)

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  3. All the best with your trustees meeting - just hope they recognise you now...! They might think you were someone else.

    It's not always possible to have time to post on your blog and get through work - I was finding this last summer when I was just too busy - I do miss it though. I've just posted some pictures from our garden today when we had our first Siskin... I think it is what do you think yourself?

    Hope you get some pics of the foxes.. have fun Miranda

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  4. I love foxes..fascinating creatures as far as I'm concerned. The more we extend our towns and cities the more we encroach on what had previously been their territory... till the edges blur and they come searching for food where once there had been a field or a wood...

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  5. Hi Warren, Jane, Miranda and Wildlife Gardner, it's interesting how many mammals are now happy living in some co-existence with man. Sadly while carrying the camera no photo opportunities.

    Thanks Miranda, I survived the Board Meeting despite having the appearance of a rabbit in headlights.... steep learning curve I think in the next few months.

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  6. Despite your claimed lack of time Andrew you've had some nice spots. How lovely to walk to work and see Foxes as well!!

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  7. Glad to hear that it all went well with your meeting. It was very exciting yesterday as our female Brambling is back again this year - have even managed to get a picture - take a look when you get a spare minute or if you get snowed in? Bonne weekend Miranda

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  8. Hi Tricia, I wish I could just walk to work, however I have a 20 mile drive then about 15 minutes walk as there is no parking at work. I love that walk as always something to see in Clifton, wildlife wise.

    Thanks Miranda, I'll have a peek.

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