2006 Jan - Jun |
ADRIAN'S PHOTO'S |
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January: 7th Tooshy has still got a bad limp. The foxes don't seem to be eating together as they had been up to now.
13th Tooshy is now starting to put more weight on the bad leg. Both cubs were waiting to be fed at 2000 today.
16th There were a lot of screams and yelps in the wood during the night from the foxes.
24th Fed and watched at SWT hide but only saw 1 badger although it was looking very pregnant.
28th Male and Female Muntjac seen in wood at 1230
February: 1st Fed mum and cubs in garden for first time today
6th Fed all 3 in garden again today although mum grumbles and is still very wary. .
11th Went out with Wayne and Kelvin to Santon Downing and Lynford. Saw Crossbills, Nuthatch and Tree Creeper but light all wrong for any decent pics
15th starting to update the site..... ...
18th Went to Welney to try and learn to photograph Mute Swan and Whooper Swans... after 3gb and 4 batteries I was hoping for some half decent results!
20th The more bolder of the two remaining cubs came quite close to take food but was ambushed by Tooshy and stood there whimpering like a dog .
21st Went out to feed the foxes as usual and "Friendly" as I shall now call it came to within 10ft of me to get its food. After its second visit a right commotion started up in the wood. lots of chattering could be heard disappearing around the trees and brambles, even some barking was eerily heard. Eventually Friendly came back through the fox flap had a shake then carried on eating. Once I was indoors mum and the 2 cubs were eating together and eventually joined by the Rogue.
22nd Friendly came close to feed but has a limp from its back leg. It comes in real close to feed then gets mobbed by the other foxes so now it is staying near to me and eating the food rather than face the roth of the others.
23rd Rogue fox has limp now on its front leg, Friendly still limping.
24th Friendly now has limp on front leg as well as rear. Again tonight it was ambushed by Tooshy.
March: Not much seen from the foxes, weather has turned colder.
6th Tooshy was waiting at gate while I put out food but did not enter till I started back to the house.
7th Mum and Tooshy were out tonight braving the wet and cold.
8th Rogue, Mum and Tooshy all feeding, noticed that Tooshy has a small scar over its right eye
11th Went to Sotterly, Minsmere and then to Rendlesham, with Wayne but apart from a Barn Owl seen close, about 8am, little else apart from an obliging Robin in a graveyard, was seen. Very windy and even a little snow. Tooshy visited the garden briefly, then Rogue and Mum. The two of them seem to be getting very friendly together. Eventually all three foxes were eating together and were then accompanied by a white cat who had no worries about eating within 3 or 4 feet from the foxes. It was the foxes in fact that gave the respect to the cat.
12th Went out kiting at Rougham but only managed about 1/2 hour flying as the wind dropped. Rogue and Mum only tonight, oh and a tabby cat! I haven't seen Friendly for over 2 weeks now. Saw 2 Barn Owls while out and about.
13th No Mum tonight but Rogue and Tooshy were taking it in turns to feed in the garden.
14th Badger meeting in Essex, A query over whether Badgers hibernate in Scotland was raised , and after an Email to Allan Bantick a rapid response came back stating that he had plenty of photographs of them in the snow all through the winter months with only a few days gap, so that would seem like proof they did not. Unlike Belarus where Allan says on his web site, they hibernate from November to February.
15th While watching Rogue and Tooshy taking it in turns feeding, 2 people came up through the woods with a search light. They came up close to the houses and turned out their torch, after about ten minutes they were still hanging about as they tuned on the torch every now and then. After about 45 minutes I was not comfortable with this, so a call to the police got a swift attendance. I met them outside and told them how to get into the wood, but after hearing voices they did not find anyone. I reckon the swearing and grunting of them going through the brambles and undergrowth moved the 2 people on!
16th Just Rogue tonight
17th Friendly has finally made a reappearance! I called the foxes as usual and after a few seconds it came, still with a slight limp and, looking quite slim. It fed within 8-10 feet away from me. Twice it took food away, but was chased with a lot of screaming into the woods by Rogue. Rogue had initially followed Friendly into the garden but upon seeing me had grunted and retreated back behind the gate. Still no Mum, I wonder if she has gone to ground with new cubs?.
18th Headed out towards Sotterly to try for the Hawfinch again but on the way Wayne and I came across a Barn Owl sitting just off the road. An hour or so later after following the now 2 Owls we decided to change our attention to the Fieldfares in a nearby field. Next we went on to Minsmere instead of our intended destination, and got some nice views of Long Tailed Tit, Snipe, Little Grebe, and Goldcrest. Also a fleeting glimpse of a Water Rail.
Only saw Tooshy tonight as it frequently came into the garden through the fox flap, to pick up a little food and then hop over the wall into the wood, returning a few seconds later for some more. All the while I watched, the evening silence was cut through by the quite alarming screaming and whickering, coming from just over the wall in the brambles. Tooshy did not seem phased at all but i'm sure the noises were from at least 2 foxes.
20th All 4 foxes tonight!
21st Only Tooshy again tonight.
22nd Went to feed badgers at SWT hide, saw at least 3 badgers (including last years cub, still with a limp and the old boar with next to no ears!) but no new pictures. Rogue and Friendly were in the garden when I returned .
23rd Friendly who was already limping, and Mum, had a fight tonight.
25th Went to Minsmere with Wayne where it was noticeably warmer bringing out the toads and bumble bees.
26th Went to feed the Badgers at SWT hide but did not stop to watch.
27th Friendly only came to eat tonight
28th No food was eaten from the garden tonight, only about the second time in the past year.
30th Tooshy and Rogue feeding tonight after I didn't feed anything yesterday. Went to SWT hide and fed the badgers, saw the Old boy, and at least 1 other male and female, who were happily grooming each other. Still no new pictures as they were just not happy coming close as it was very windy.They were downwind and as they came closer they sniffed the air and were just not relaxed. Had to be content with watching them from a distance and watch the couple of local rats!
April:
1st Went to Dunwich to survey Adders with Duncan and other members of Suffolk Reptile and Amphibian Group (SARG) , saw at least 40 Adders, 6 Lizard, 3 Slow worm, and 1 Grass snake. Very interesting day. Afterwards I met up with Wayne and went to Minsmere and saw this years first Ring Ouzel, and a Black Redstart (female).
4th Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT) Badger hide, saw 4 Badgers.
5th Friendly was in the garden this morning at 0715 feeding on seeds under the bird table, it is starting to look very thin and has a bad cut on its back leg making it limp and struggle to jump onto wall.
7th Watched male and female Muntjac in wood at around 0715 this morning. Friendly was viciously chased out of the garden by Rogue tonight. The tables have certainly turned, Rogue is very much the dominant fox at the moment.
13th Saw my first Swallow of the year at Wormingford. While heading out down the A12 at 2330 I came across a convoy of buggies strapped to camper vans and realized it was the Barkin Flyerz all heading off on a road trip to Dunkirk for a long Kiting weekend..... shame I was working.
16th Went to Dunwich with Wayne to try photographing Dartford Warblers, saw quite a few but were unable to get any decent shots as they were not up and singing for very long. Rogue was at the gate when I put food out tonight. Haven't seen the foxes for what seems ages and am missing Friendly coming into the garden and waiting to be fed.
20th Rogue at the gate again but very nervous. Saw my first Turtle Dove of the year, at Abberton.
21st While on my way home from work I spotted a Brown Hare crouching down in a field. I pulled over and sat and watched hoping it may get a little nearer. I set up my camera and took a few shots although quite a long way away, when another Hare suddenly ran in front of the first. I followed the second one which changed direction and ran straight towards me! I was clicking away until it must of been aware of the noise of the shutter and changed direction again, away from me. The rain started to come down and I was a little disappointed at the low light conditions but best Hare shots to date.
24th Heard my first cuckoo of the year at Wormingford, Essex. Rogue was feeding at 2330.
25th Carried out some of this years spring Otter surveys. Found some good signs, lots of footprints and fresh spraints.
26th Rogue was again feeding at 2330.
27th Had a phone call during the day from my wife Carolyn saying that we had a muntjac deer in the garden feeding around the bird table! It must have come through the fox flap. Luckily, it didn't stay too long and returned to the wood leaving my plants intact!
29th Went to Dunwich heath with Wayne, and later met up with kelvin. We managed to get quite close to a Ring Ouzel but before we could get any decent shots a couple walked up and right passed the 3 of us in their bright red jackets, totally oblivious to the fact that 3 guys in camouflage and with cameras, might have just spent an hour carefully following a subject, not expecting them to send it deep into the undergrowth! Many birds were singing including Whitethroats, Stonechat, and Meadow Pipit, however, the Dartford Warblers were still not sitting up and singing for long. In the afternoon Wayne and I went to Minsmere and got some reasonable shots of Long Tailed Tit which were now feeding young as their tiny beaks were crammed with spiders!
30th Carried on with some more Otter surveys. Carolyn came along, a little restricted though as she is getting bigger, due to the fact we are expecting our first babies ... twins!
May:
1st Rogue feeding around 2200
2nd Was surprised to see a return visit from Tooshy! I haven't seen this fox since 30th march. Looks well but is still very twitchy.
4th Was even more surprised to see a very welcome visit from Friendly at around 2230, first time since 7th April, when it was chased from the garden by Rogue. Its back leg has healed alot since I last saw it, but it looks very swollen around the equivalent elbow joint. At least it is walking with its foot on the ground now. Could hear a Tawny Owl in the wood.
6th Friendly came to feed again almost as soon as I had come indoors from putting out their food.
7th Friendly was in the garden today at 1430 eating a few peanuts. I went outside and put out some dog food and waited to see if it came back. Within a few minutes in came Friendly soaking wet ( raining ) but looking ok, so out came the camera and I spent around half an hour taking pictures. Still haven't seen "Mum" so am still hoping she may have cubs somewhere.
9th I think it was Friendly back in the garden at 2230
10th Stood watching a male Muntjac at 0730 and then at 1730 watched a female. Later at 2230 Rogue was back in the garden
14th Spent today updating my records from the Otter surveys and started to update my suffolk badger records.
15th Friendly seems to be making a more regular appearance in the garden after quite a break in the routine.
20th I have been putting out the fox food at about 2000 even though its been light in the hope to see the foxes in daylight, tonight it paid off. Friendly was there at about 2030 but then was joined by a fox which it was obviously at ease with but i couldn't tell which it was. Its coat was very dark (although its was wet) but it seemed quite relaxed while feeding (reminiscent of Mum not twitchy like tooshy) but this fox could hardly open its eyes. There seems to be a swelling on its forehead and if relaxed would just shut its eyes completely but if startled, would strain to open them. Not sure if this could be like conjunctivitis, an injury, or maybe a tumor? Quite concerning though. Friendly on the other hand looks very well, the swelling around its rear leg is much less and it looks quite alert.
21st Friendly and mum out tonight.
22nd Friendly, Mum and Rogue all in the garden tonight and they seem to be at ease with each other for a change.
24th Friendly and Mum seem to be regulars again as they are out each evening now.
26th Wayne, Kelvin, Muzzy and myself set off for a weekend of bird watching and photography, up north.
27th Went to the Farne Islands for my first time today. On the way we saw a Great Skua. Other "lifers" for me on the island included Roseate Tern. I was amazed by the shear numbers of Puffin and Arctic Tern, smaller numbers of Sandwich Tern, and also Shag. Grey Seal were seen, although the boat was a bit up and down as the sea was getting a bit too choppy to photograph very much.
28th We headed back south after a few pints and much needed sleep, but on the way we stopped off at various locations known to Muzzy and got some great views of Dipper, Red Grouse, Grey Partridge, Pied Flycatcher, and also saw Black Grouse, and kite. Although I took just under 900 pictures i'm afraid the excitement must of got to me as on my return I sent approximately 700 of them to the recycle bin!!
29th Back to familiar surroundings, but tonight as well as seeing Friendly , Mum and Rogue, I had I think two cubs in the garden!!! Great news as I had resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't going to get any cubs this year. They are not tiny cubs so they must have been hiding up well until now.
30th Friendly, Mum and Rogue had a very excitable cub with them tonight, chasing Friendly around the pond!
31st Tonight the Trio of adults were again accompanied by one cub who is very definitely a hit with Friendly. Friendly whilst trying to eat, would suddenly be attacked at full speed, get its tail grabbed and spun around, chased, jumped on, but all the time it seems it is very attentive towards the cub. As I watched they spent alot of time play fighting rolling over each other and despite the size difference the cub seemed to give as good as it got! Mum who's eyes are still partially closed kept its distance but no adult was left un-ambushed! In the morning the evidence of a great nights playing was seen in what was left of my plants ..... so reminiscent of last year. :-)