Seven tails for seven shots
By Ian Barnett.
WE’RE at that time of year now when many healthy vixens will be impregnated and, by the time you read this, some may have birthed. Despite the picture painted of the dog fox during this period, they do often provide for the vixen during parturition and for the litter while in the den.
During this breeding period I like to steer the foxes away from the game hens which have survived the driven shoots with a bit of diversionary feeding. How effective this is, I had never been sure until one weekend when a surprise meeting brought a smile to my face. More on that later.
I woke on Saturday morning to scudding grey clouds driven by cold westerly gusts which conspired to hold back any light from the low winter sun. It was still only half-light when I arrived on the estate.
Driving along the concrete track I watched the snaking back and arching tail of a grey squirrel sprinting ahead of the motor. It suddenly darted to the right and disappeared into the trees in the oak grove. One for later, perhaps.
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