Reader’s letter: Foxes and birds

Submitted by Looduskalender EN on Wed, 01.06.2016 - 09:10
Autorid

Letter from  Raul  in Pärnu

Photo Arne Ader

Translation Liis

Rebasepere

Fox family

Body

The Vana-Pärnu shore meadow is kept open by grazing cattle. A number of different bird species live in the meadow, it seems that some of them also use the insects that circle around the cattle for food.

The adult birds keep an eye on the little chicks who have not fledged yet and take them into less dangerous places if needed. In the evening a fox with drooping tail can be seen running around on the pasture. It is looking for easy prey among the chicks. The adult birds fly around excitedly above the fox and evidently try to attract it away from the chicks but this does not always succeed. The fox probably has a den nearby because when the smaller individual has disappeared into the thicket with its prey another fox with fluffier coat appears on the pasture to hunt. The foxes will evidently find easy prey until the chicks fledge.

LK comments:

From the description it seems that a fox family is busy. In March or April the fox cubs were born (they may have been 4-5), “blind and deaf”, or with closed eye and ear openings. Not until after a couple of weeks the cubs become able to see.  They are weaned off from mother’s milk after about one and a half month. The adults bring prey to the nest already before that: the nest site becomes particularly noticeable then due to the gnawed food leftovers and it can be discovered from the smell or by happening to see the cubs at play. When a threat appears the adults may take the litter elsewhere because the foxes know the surrounding countryside and urban  conditions much better than we do.

We use cookies on our website to support technical features that enhance your user experience.

We also use analytics & advertising services. To opt-out click for more information.