A Brief Encounter with a Fox

15th October 2021

Having been laid up with a heavy cold for over a week I was desperate to get out for some fresh air and exercise so headed off to Amwell. The entrance track was very quiet bird-wise, although there were large numbers of Red Admirals on the ivy, but today many were preferring to sunbathe on the warm gravel path.

A lone Hornet also appeared on the Ivy flowers.

I spent some time at the Bittern Pool hoping for a brief appearance but to no avail, so decided to pop into the James Hide to have a look at the ride that the Truxor should have cut between the James and White Hides. I was pleased to see that the vegetation in front of the hide had been cut right down providing great views across the pool, and all that is needed now is the provision of a few Kingfisher perches around the pool and some seed in the feeders.

And the ride had indeed been cut and I sat there reminiscing about the snowy day on the 17th January 2013 when a Fox walked the full length of the ride allowing a few shots to be taken.

And then, right on cue, a Fox appeared at the far end of the ride and once again proceeded to walk towards the hide. Was this really happening? Eventually the Fox emerged from the shadows revealing what a smart and healthy animal it was.

It then continued to approach the pool along the ride but then suddenly became aware of a potential threat, as it stopped in its tracks to assess the situation.

It was clearly unhappy but continued to proceed slowly along the ride but with its head held low.

It eventually got to within just a couple of yards from the pool and then realised that something wasn't quite right but didn't quite understand the situation. It couldn't see me as I was inside a hide and my face was obscured by the camera, but it could still hear the somewhat quieter shutter o the mirror-less camera.

It eventually trusted its better judgement and turned and loped back up the ride. Oh well, can't win them all.