Vicki Fox > Guests > PEI Foxes > 1996 Journal 2Q

PEI Foxes - 1996 Journal : April to June

26 Apr

Land was dry enough that we could drive the car to the top of the hill. Walked the rest of the way back to the natal den. Saw fresh scat at the bottom of the loop road and again about 10 feet from the den. A new hole (entry/exit) has been dug in the mound that is the natal den. You can see all the dirt piled outside and fresh fox tracks in the mud. In many cases you can see the entire paw print but usually just the symetrical holes the nails leave. Left hard boiled eggs (quartered) and bread at new entrance to den, at the bottom of the loop road, the brook, the T junction and the sitting rock. Supposed to rain tomorrow which is why we made the effort to go back just a few minutes after arriving.

27 Apr

Rained all morning, but sun came out in the afternoon. Good strong wind. We decided to chance driving back tonite; however, Tom had the tractor out and ready in case we had to walk out to get it to pull the car out. A few slips and slides, but made it in and back. All food from last night gone and fresh scat left in one of the food areas. The natal den is enormous. Tom noted well worn tracks on either side of it and the top of the den was worn bare. Tom felt a great deal of traffic and 'sunning' was going on in that den. I don't know if he was wearing his veterinarian hat or his farmer hat, but he predicted 4 kits in this litter with all the signs of traffic in the vicinity. Left cut up apple, wax beans, carrot, boiled potato and the bones and fatty pieces of the pot roast in four different feeding areas. No sighting, but one had the feeling of being watched.

28 Apr

Heavy, driving rain during the night. Land too "greasy" to drive for a day or so. Beautiful sunny day. Tom did a half-day walking tour of the property. Even went down the walking tail next to the brook he made from the far field. Had his pockets filled with milk bone dog biscuits. He reported all the food by the natal den gone so left 5 small sized milk bone there and at other way stations. He also reports some activity around the log den, though they haven't usually moved to that until July. Perhaps getting it ready. I walked up the hill to meet him and planned to sit on my sitting rock to wait. The food I had left on the sitting rock last night was gone and healthy sized scat in its place. Very fresh and still moist. When Tom got there, we both thought it was more dog sized than fox size, but dogs in this area prefer to defecate in a soil region rather than atop a fair sized rock. Tom donned his veterinarian hat and examined the scat. Finding it moistly recent and filled with mouse fur, we can only assume a dog fox left a thank you. Tom threw the scat in the bushes so the fox would think we appreciated the present. Tonite after dinner I took a baked potato skin and left it on the sitting rock. Didn't go any farther as feet and legs couldn't take it.

29 Apr

Hooray - saw two adult foxes. Was able to drive back tonite. Parked at the end of the loop road. I walked down to natal den and left pot roast and veggies by den opening, announcing my presence by calling "kit kit" as I did last year. Walked back and sat in car to watch. About 5 minutes later a washed out yellow/orange fox with grey back and white belt around the hips came out of the brush across from the den. It looked at us, casually walked to the den, picked up a mouthful, crossed the road and disappeared into the brush. Did this a couple of times. I am puzzled. Thought a dog fox procured food FOR the mother . . . not take it away. Anway, got a couple of photos. While the camera was pressed to my eye, Tom said "I think it just lifted its leg". It would make sense it would be the male as I assume the mother is busy nursing the kits. He kept coming closer and closer to the car trotting around, posing for photos, and all the time I was talking to him. He was most unconcerned. Something made me look to the left, and there was an adult red/orange fox trotting toward us from the brook. She had evidently eaten all the food I had left on the mound and by the hedgerow. She went into the brush in front of the car (about 40 feet away) and reappeared in the loop road. I called "kit kit" and she stopped long enough for me to get a photo. I really think it's Abby. It certainly was a non-nursing fox and much smaller than the earlier one. I am supposing the mother let Pepper, as the dominate female of last year's litter, disperse and start her own family. Am supposing she kept Abby, as the beta female, back to act as nurse/baby sitter for this year's litter. She disappeared into the brush on the opposite side of the road from the den at the same time the earlier fox (who could easily be Golden Boy) came out of the brush right in front of the car and trotted off down the road to the mound by the brook. Verrrrry unconcerned about our presence and my voice. On the way out checked the food drops made earlier, and sure enough they were clean. Left a few wax beans at each one so others get a chance. If the little one IS Abby it sure is typical of her behavior. And if the larger one IS Golden Boy, he sure acted like the Golden Boy of last year.

30 Apr

No sightings tonight but a conversation. We drove back at parked at the end of the loop road. As I walked up to the natal den I was calling "kit Kit". Left food at the opening to the den and was nattering away about how the apple was good for nursing mothers and the honeydew melon would quench her thirst when much to my surprise I heard movement in the den, followed by "rrooov". Not a harsh bark, not a growl, but more of a conversational response. Of course, it could have been a warning I was too close but I was no closer than I have been other nights. I said "Am I disturbing you?" The answer was another "rrooov". So I said "bye bye" and retreated. As I was walking away I could hear distinct movement and one last "rrooov". Meanwhile at the end of the loop road Tom found scat completely covered in white fur. He broke it apart and there was more fur than scat. Looks like they had rabbit for dinner. As we were driving back to the mound I spotted a big tuft of fox hair. We retrieved it. The fur is about 4" long, and attached to a strip of skin about the width of two book matches and about the length of a wood kitchen match. It obviously was lost from means other than shedding. The hair is grey at the skin, but quickly goes to golden yellow ending in the last 1 1/2" of bright orange. Have never seen a tuft like this on the farm before. Either the rabbit put up a good fight, or there was a family squabble.

2 May

Rain last night so couldn't go back. Took video camera tonight and got some poor video of natal den. Had to shoot right into the setting sun. No new scat around natal den, and dry leaves in den entrance close to road. That's the entrance I heard the "rooov" from 2 nights ago. No sign of recent traffic. Left food and retreated to the end of the loop road. Probably won't go that close to the den anymore. About 20 minutes later a lovely big red fox came out of the brush by the natal den and ate the blueberries I had left. Posed left and right. Came trotting down the road toward us and ate some bread pieces I had left there. Stared at us for some time, then turned and trotted up the road away from us. Five minutes later, it emerged from the brush opposite the natal den and found some more bits we had left. With the sun shining in our eyes it was hard to tell who it was. Even replaying the few minutes of video we're not sure if it's Golden Boy or not. Seems to have less grey on the back and we just couldn't check the markings on the stifles. Didn't seem concerned about us, but not quite as bold as the fox the other night. It appeared to be a male, but without leg lifting evidence, not sure of that either. I squinted and stared to see if it was missing any fur . . . couldn't tell. This fox appeared only after we repositioned the car. The sound of the automobile was more of a signal than my "kit kit".

3 May

A fox was waiting for us between the T junction and the mound by the brook. It looked like Abby, but until we inspect the video to check the markings on the legs, can't be positive. However, because she acted like Abby, will assume it was. She followed us to the mound and waited until the car pulled away before eating the tidbits left there. I left food by the natal den, calling "kit kit" as I went up. Did not tarry, however. Interestingly, right by one of the den openings (closest to the road) there were two small tufts of hair caught on a twig. Same grey roots leading to blond and orange as the big piece we found a couple of days ago. Pretty soon Abby cut across the field and into the brush, coming out on the loop road by the natal den. She was completely unconcerned about us. A couple of times she got her mouth full and trotted up the road away from us and into the woods. Obviously caching the treats. The last time she came back down the loop road she came to within 10 feet of the car. She then went into the woods and came out behind us on the main road. I could see her easily. She placed herself on some straw Tom had strewn to help road erosion and spent close to a full minute having a bowel movement. From the jerking of her tail, it appeared difficult. When it was time to leave, we went to examine in. It was the strangest scat we had ever seen. Much of it was straw, grass and twigs. Some of it encased in mucas, a little of which was red. Tom pulled it apart and found a tape worm. It appears she passed the entire thing, we without a microscope we can't be absolutely sure she passed the head. Tom marveled at how nature, or her instinct, provided the urge to eat so much roughage in order to pass the worm. How did she know she had one? Isn't nature wonderful? No sign of Golden Boy tonight.

4 May

Rain all night and all day. Hill too "greasy" to drive or climb so not going back. On reviewing the video we took last night, it is doubtful it was Abby we saw. Last night's fox had a white spot on the front of her hock that Abby didn't have . . . at least as of last November when her winter coat was full. Wonder if it was Shy Lass. We never saw her legs as she stayed in the brush. This fox family has white streaks on their legs all in the same place. It's great for identifying them as part of the same genetic family, but rough to tell one from the other.

5 May

Since it was my birthday and a bright sunny day, Tom and I drove to the top of the hill and walked back to the den hoping the mother would bring the kits out to wish me happy birthday. No such luck. We did find, however, fresh scat at the den opening by the road. Also, that opening appears not to have been used since the night of the conversation, though the paths around the rest of the den show heavy traffic. A tuft of white fur on a twig on the fox path leading to the other side of the den. Left food in the feeding spots since we had a family dinner in town tonight. It was still light after the family dinner so made the circuit and found all the food gone . . . except the celery stalks. One was eaten, one was half chewed, and the other left. The tomato slices were eaten, but the cucumber slice not touched. The blueberry muffin was gone down to the last crumb. We're building me a fox watching hut at the top of the hill just past the sitting rock and by the start of the raceway. I've been leaving food at sunset ridge so when my hut is built I'll be able to observe traffic. There was fresh scat left on sunset ridge. One item was the usual dark black and a second one was very light in color. Almost as if two different foxes left "gifts". While we were sitting there a dark red fox ran across the field, stopped, stared at us, and ran into the brush when the car started to move. Have no idea who it was.

6 May

Our farm must be the "out house" for the vulpine population of the entire county. Scat all over the place. Fresh scat on the sitting rock tonite (replacing 3 day old scat) and some contortionist left fresh scat on the steep slant of the mound. (Would have loved to see that procedure.) Tom went back on the tractor this afternoon to take brush back to the burning pile and surpised a fox. He was so surprised didn't get much of a look at it. Made the usual rounds tonite and by the natal den the fox that we thought was Abby came out and spent about 30 minutes with us. I would swear that it is Abby except a white spot doesn't move from the back of the hock (Abby) to the front of the hock (tonight's fox) during the winter. This fox also doesn't have as large a white puff at the tip of the tail as does Golden Boy. Golden Boy's entire tail is grey except for the white fluff at the end. All red foxes we have seen here have a black "thumb print" at the top of the tail where it connects to the spine. The fox we saw tonight (don't know what to call her so for now will call her Fox #2) has a large black spot at the base of her tail. It's like someone with sooty hands grabbed it there. Much more than a thumb print. Her behavior was so similar to Abby's - even to cutting through the brush to circumvent the car and appear on the other side. Our neighbor across the road has seen a fox for the last two mornings "fishing" the shore of our property. (The TransCanada separates us from about 10 acres of shoreline). The way the fox was described it had to be Golden Boy. I was upset because I've told the foxes time and again to never cross the road. Our neighbor says this one doesnt. . . it uses the culvert to go under the road. This is my last post for a while. Going back to Chicago for a month. Tom will be here for another week. He's not going to go near the den until next Sunday. We're hoping the mother will bring the kits out for Mother's Day.

9 May

Tom just called that there is a litter of kits underneath a cottage down by the shore. He went down to look at them and there are 2 kits and a possible third. They were out romping around. As he got closer to the den, he heard a warning bark so moved away. We suspect, from what the neighbors said, it could be Pepper's litter. That's the good news. The bad news is the cottage is not on our property. The owners usually come for the month of July and they have a dog, so the foxes will move then probably. All we need for them to do is move about 20 meters and they'll be on our land. Tom has not been back in the woods to check the natal den since I left. He's waiting until Mother's Day. Here's hoping we have a litter too.

11 May

Tom phoned with some interesting news. He has discovered three more dens, all of which are in active use. One under a fallen down shed on our property line with our neighbors. This we knew about and have called it The Original Den. We have assumed our fox family was one of the children from that den. The other is in abandoned root cellar on our neighbor's property just beyond our property line and seems to be a natal den. Tom heard a "woof" from within the den as he went close so moved off. The third is at the top of the hill behind the house in a bare spot in the midst of the spruce trees not far from the sitting rock. There is also a natural spring here. This den also shows much use and has a regular "fox highway" to the dens on our property line/neighbor dens. Tom also saw a fox with a very white chest (like Abby) watching him from the distance. So - we now know of two distince ranges and maybe three. The litter by the shore by the cottage is one, and whether our hill top / loop road / root cellar spots are one or two ranges is yet to be discovered. Tom can't go back to the natal den on the loop road as it has been raining steadily for two days.

14 May

Tom reports via telephone that the natal den on the loop road is no longer in use. The mother has obviously moved the kits to either the root cellar den or the spring den at the top of the hill. Tom had some road repairing to do and he said at every turn a fox was watching. He threw food at several feeding areas and the foxes appeared immediately to enjoy the tid bits. My "fox watching hut" at the top of the hill is nearly finished. Tom has been leaving food there. The hut is on a major fox highway so I am hoping to have a front row seat this summer. It appears I'll have a choice of 2 litters to befriend this summer. We'll see which vixen brings her kits to us. Tom returning to Chicago today so no further obsevations for a couple of weeks.

26 May

Tom reports by phone that he saw one of the kits from this year's litter. The natal den in the loop road shows no sign of use. The night earlier this month when I heard growling from that den was the night she probably moved them. Right now they are at the den by the spring at the top of the hill. He walked up to that den to investigate usage and White Hips (or a fox looking very much like White Hips) watched him. One kit was out playing in the sunshine. Tom said this kit looks completely different in coloring (more red) than the kits in the litter under the cottage by the shore. He drove back and left food at all the regular places tonight and the foxes must have been right behind him cleaning it all up because every morsel was gone when he drove back. Two completely different litters. Wow! Can't wait until I get there in 2 weeks.

2 Jun

Tom is on the island and what follows is a recap of his phone reports for the last week. A neighbor was watching the fox kits under the cottage by the shore. We *think* that Pepper could be the mother, but not having seen them myself, can only make suppositions on others reports. In any case, the mother was leading her kits across the highway when two of them were hit and killed. Later another kit was found on the highway, but whether it was the third one from that litter or not no one knows. It had to have been a young inexperienced mother to lead them into traffic.

The litter from the spring den at the top of the hill seems to have three kits also. Through binoculars Tom can see them sunning themselves on the collapsed roof of an old shed on our neighbor's property (where "grandmother's" or the "first" den is.) They neighbors have listed their farm for sale and the real estate agents evidently made too much noise tramping around and putting up signs, etc. so the mother moved the kits from that den. Tom doesn't know if they moved back to the top of the hill or to another den we haven't discovered. Everytime Tom goes back on our road, White Hips watches him from the top of the hill. One time a small fox (about the size of a yearling) raced Tom through the circuit. Tom is pretty sure it's Pepper. IF Pepper did experience motherhood and IF Pepper lost her litter on the road, and IF it was Pepper racing the car, she didn't spend much time in mourning.

Tom says food back by the natal den disappears between the time he leaves it and the time he comes back out of the woods. He is seeing many adult foxes and is confused as to who they are, but seem to be part of the same family. On several occasions a fox (he thinks it was White Hips) has come right into our garden.

It sure appears this year's litters are being moved more often. Tom does not interact, just leaves food and reports what he sees at the time. Don't know what is making them more mobile than in previous years. I'll be in PEI on June 5th so can do some first hand reporting.

5 Jun

Tom showed me the newly discovered den at the spring at the top of the hill. It's huge. The mother was in a clearing about 100 yards away watching us carefully. The den did not show recent use. Fresh scat in the network of fox trails. The trails from that den lead right under the spruce trees and come out at the top of the hill. Left food in various places. (Corn Pops cereal) Drove back later and as I got to the top of the hill surprised a big (and I mean big) blond fox cleaning up the snacks left there earlier. I drove past the top of the hill, stopped the car, walked back calling "kit kit". The fox scooted under the spruce trees and watched me toss broken up milk bone. He/she wouldn't come out, but stared at me the entire time. I drove back through the woods and in coming out, stopped at my almost-finished fox watching hutka. I was standing on the front porch looking at the water and watching the tide go out, when movement caught the corner of my eye. Sure 'nuff, there was a red fox with a grey saddle back on the sitting rock cleaning up the treats there. I called "kit kit" and even though I was down wind, the fox perked up its head and looked at me. It leisurely cleaned up but wouldn't come toward me. Left lots of Corn Pops by the hutka in hopes eventually I can just sit on the porch and they'll all come to me. Tom hasn't seen the kits since Thursday night when they were playing. However, it's been raining I understand. I wonder why the mother doesn't come show them to us. It is now apparent they were in the natal den on the loop road and I am the one who disturbed the mother so she moved them. I must be on her list. Will try to win her back with Milk Bone and Corn Pops.

6 Jun

All food sites cleaned. Fresh scat left in one. Whoopee. Coming down the hill this afternoon in my rackety gasoline engine golf cart (sounds like a thrashing machine) I could see the big blond fox in the drainage dip that runs behind the garden. S/he was at the far end of it. I stopped and we watched each other for minutes. Finally s/he curled up and appeared to go to sleep. Left corn pops throughout the dip. Hurried trip tonight. No sightings. The adults were so friendly a month ago, don't know what's got into them . . . unless the kits are friskier and need more supervision. It's been a week today since Tom saw the kits playing in the sunshine. It's only been two days, and I have had a sighting each day, but am getting discouraged. I want them playing around my feet as in previous years.

7 Jun

Tom and I investigated the den at the top of the hill this afternoon. Absolutely no signs of activity, so they have moved for sure. Tom verified that several springs are still running fairly nicely. I heard a sharp fox bark (a warning bark) coming from the spruce section closer to the main lane. (There are several areas that died off leaving several clearings in the mini-forest.) Several minutes later, another fox bark. I went back to the car and Tom walked thru the spruce in the direction of the bark to see if there is another den hidden there. When I got to the top of the hill a red fox dashed out of the spruce, ran across the lane and up toward the sitting rock. Seconds later, Tom came out. He hadn't seen the fox, nor did he find another den. This evening I was sitting alone in the fox watching hutka when a lovely red fox appeared at sunset ridge and was having a wonderful time with the meat loaf bits. S/he was just coming toward the hutka, where we have established a feeting site, when Tom drove up to check on me and scared it off. We waited another 20 minutes, but no fox returned.

8 Jun

Our fox is a Jewish mother! Left food (cheerios and pork bones/fat) at all the usual sites. We have reopened the original lane up the hill. It doesn't curve around and cut through the spruce trees but goes straight up. A little rough to drive yet, but started a new site on a pile of rocks at the end of that lane which is a little higher on the hill than my sitting rock. Settled down in my fox-watching hutka. After some time, saw a blond/red adult with a little red kit on top of the sitting rock; they then moved to the end of the new/old/reopened lane. The kit was leapfrogging over the adult/mother and generally being playful. The mother then situated the kit in the trees by the sitting rock and "arc'd" through the grain/clover up to sunset ridge. The hutka is about 100 yards away. I tried to be very still, but the window seat creaked and the mother lifted her head and looked in my direction. When all was still, she have a short bark, and went back to where she had left the kit. I waited and sure enough, the mother made two more trips to sunset ridge. It appeared that she was either carrying food back to the kit, or interrupting her own feed to check on the kit. After her third trip back, about 20 minutes passed and nothing more happened. I got in the car and started down. When I got to the sitting rock, there was mother and child at the top of the hill cleaning up cheerios together. The mother stared at me for awhile, and then I blew it by called "kit kit". She screeched (not barked) and the kit disappeared into the trees close by. The mother then ran across the field in a swath we cut next to the spruce trees screaming and screeching all the way. They were 5 alarm barks. This is obviously an adult that has not known us and the whine of our car for the last two years, nor my voice. Does she only have one kit? Or did she leave the others home and is bringing them out one at a time? Were her cries to alert those at home? Or was she frenzied in fear? Another interesting note, though food was left outside the hutka and it is always gone in the morning, she did not come for the food while I was within it. Much progress tonight - just hope the old car and me calling out didn't ruin it. Oh, another interesting note. Tom called me to look at something in the garden this morning.. There was fox scat in the corner of the garden that is right next to wear the lawn ends. Food has never been left here. Was someone leaving a message? It had the twisted ends of fox scat plus a multitude of seeds in it, so we know it wasn't a cat.

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I was just getting ready to post this when my neighbor across the road called the three kits from under the cottage by the shore were out playing. (Thought the neighbor had said earlier two of them were killed on the road.) Quickly drove down there and these kits are much, much darker than the blond one seen earlier tonight. A very dark red with some grey already on the back. Their parents were obviously out hunting as the kits were as curious about me as I was them. They let me approach to about 20 yards before scampering off. Cheerios didn't coax them out, but one head did poke out to spot where the cheerios had been thrown. There was torn newspaper and torn rags all over the area. Obviously they had been having a grand time with things found under the cottage.

Now we wonder if it was the "Jewish mother" who lost 2 kits on the road and that's why she's so hyper.

9 Jun

Great photo op tonight except the video camera wouldn't focus. As I drove up, the little blond kit was waiting at the top of the hill. It sprang under the trees when the car got close. I left some bread and called "kit kit" and went on to the sitting rock. Left bread there. As I continued on, I saw a little flash of red come out from the spruce trees to where the bread had been left at the top of the hill. Left dry cat food in all the usual sites and waited in the hutka for nearly an hour before more acitivity. Saw either mother and kit or two kits playing on the sitting rock and the rocks at the end of the old/new lane. I knew one was a kit because it would lower its front end with the rear pointing upwards and I could see the skinny tail. Another 10 minutes passed before the mother (I'm assuming it's the mother) came to sunset ridge and calmly ate the cat food. There's a cairn there of rocks we've thrown out of the fields, so I left bread on it. This fox calmly climbed up and got the bread. Either it's a different fox or last night she was suffering from PMS. in any case, there were no trips back to check on the kits, or to share the cat food with them. After her feed, she took off slowly arcing through the field toward the log den which connects to the road to the mound by the brook and the loop road, other feeding sites. Rather than rattle her as I did last night, I used this chance to make my get-away in the car. (Once again the food by the hutka was left for later.) As I came down the hill, there was the blond kit waiting by the top of the hill. As an obediant child, it ran for cover in the spruce trees when the car got close. I halted the car, threw our four little communion sized cubes of bread, called "kit kit" and rolled on. I hadn't gone 20 feet before the kit was out eating the bread. Hah! I'm winning! Tom and I checked the cottage by the shore earlier, but no sign of the kits there. It's almost as if mother parked them there last night when she went hunting. It was the first time the neighbors had seen them there in nearly 10 days.

10 Jun

Mother and child (or at least adult and child) were waiting at the top of the hill this morning when I drove up in my rattly golf cart to collect scraps of roofing shingles from the hutka to be dumped. They stayed watching me until I was almost upon them, and then sought the safety of the spruce trees. I carry cereal in the golf cart so threw some corn pops at them as I passed. Later in the afternoon made another trip up in the car to measure the hutka window seats for pads. The kit came running out as soon as s/he heard the sound of the car and got a milk bone for her appearance. Tom mowed some of the weeds around the sitting rock and sunset ridge with the brush cutter tonight and since it was close to feeding time, I chased him away. An adult kit came out to the sitting rock but didn't have the kit with her. She then ran back to the curve of the road out of my line of sight. She came back to the end of the reopend lane and it appeared filled her mouth and again ran back. Twenty minutes later I noticed a fox on sunset ridge. This one came from the back and didn't arc thru the grain as in previous nights. This fox also didn't get the bread left on the cairn so I wonder if it's the same one as last night or just tired of bread. I was able to watch the fox leave fresh scat. Got some video but then the battery went dead. Since the adult didn't have the kit along tonight, no great loss. There's always rechargers and tomorrow night.

11 Jun

I'm so excited I can hardly type. What a night. As I was going back I met a fox at the top of the hill. It had a grey back and hips. It shot under the trees. I called "kit kit" and left some food bits. Continued on and did the rounds. Coming back from the brook, I was just at the end (or beginning depending on which way you're going) of the raceway on my way to the hutka when the grey backed fox ran past heading for the brook. I stopped the car and yelled "kit kit - where are you going?" The fox stopped and turned around. I frantically threw out bread bits as I kept talking. The fox came closer and closer until it was sitting by the rear wheel of the car. I kept saying "who are you?" It was so shed out there were absolutely no distinguishing marks except for the grey back. I said "Are you Pepper?" It twitched its ears. I said "Are you Abby?" It cocked its head. I nattered on for awhile and then rolled away. As I did the fox came forward to eat the bread crumbs I had scattered. When I got to the hutka I could see the blond fox and the kit at the sitting rock and then at the end of the reopend lane. I thought surely the blond fox would arc through the grain to sunset ridge again, but it didn't. Shortly thereafter, the grey backed fox came to sunset ridge from the back field. It hoovered for a bit and then ran back to the end of the reopend lane. It then returned to sunset ridge and got a few more morsels. Lo and behold - it trotted right down to the hutka. It didn't like the car being parked there and seemed a little nervous - dancing sideways, etc., but finally came right up next to the porch where I had left a pork chop bone with fat on it. It grabbed it and ran to the end of the reopened lane. Soon, the kit came to the end of the lane and sat and looked all around. I could see the head of a fox arcing thru the grain. Sure 'nuff, the blond fox then had a turn at sunset ridge. S/he got the bread I had put on top of the cairn. The kit disappeard and its place was taken by Grey Back. S/he looked around, and then settled down to rest/wait. I got in the car to start down the hill when suddendly the kit came out and wanted to frolic. Grey Back was not thrilled, but mostly ignored the behavior. I got to within 200 feet of them and got out of the car to video. Grey Back allowed it, I sat on the front bumper of the car and tossed some milk bone bits and talked. Grey Back just looked at me. Finally s/he trotted down to the sitting rock, crossed into the trees of the reopened lane, came back to the end of the lane and climbed up on a 4' pile of cut field stone we put there. I let the car roll closer and Grey Back just watched. When I finally got next to him/her I put on the breaks and the doggone breaks squaled. Grey Back jumped from the rocks and disappeared. Who is Grey Back? This will keep me awake all night. What a thrill this evening was.

12 Jun

Thunder, lightening, and a downpour most of the day. During a late afternoon reprieve, went back and left food. Hurried down while road was passable. Evening heavy rain.

13 Jun

1:30 PM (13.30) Just came back from a half hour conversation with Grey Back. The sun finally came out late morning so at 12:45 I took the golf cart up the hill to see if the hutka weathered the storm. On my way up Grey Back ran across the road so I left three little bread bits at the top of the hill. Checked the hutka and on my way down noticed the bread bits were gone. Stopped the cart and called "kit kit" and tossed another piece of bread. Then I sat there talking and nattering away. Soon a head poked out of the brush. I chatted away for awhile and then softly called "kit kit" as I tossed some more bread. This brought grey back out into the open. I repeated the action several times, and Grey Back inched to about 20 feet from me. I kept talking away and repeated all the stores about George and Charlene (1994) and Pepper and Abby (1996) and Grey Back sat in the sun, almost swaying to the sound of my voice. S/he finally retreated to the shade of a spruce branch but kept in view and listened as long as I talked. When I was silent for awhile, the head raised up, ears twisted, and eyes stared at me. I started talking again, and h/she curled up . . . still looking at me. Finally I said "bye bye" in the same tone as used last year and Grey Back stood up. Hmmmmm - someone who remembers? I stayed for a little longer, called "kit kit" and tossing a piece of bread each time. Then another "bye bye" and I started the noisy cart and rolled off. Hadn't gone 10 feet away when GB came out of the trees and started on the bread. H/she came into the lane so I could get a good look, and then went back to the bread. Making progress.

7:15 PM (19.15) Started on the evening fox hunt. Got to the top of the hill and the blond fox was there. She watched the car approach. I passed her, stopped the car and got out calling "kit kit" and tossing cheerios. She gave a two alarm shriek and ran off. I guess it's progress since it's down from the frantic display of the other night. I'm starting to think of her as Nervous Nellie. Made the rounds and ended up at the hutka. A fox appeared at the sitting rock (think it was Nervous Nellie - couldn't tell for sure through the view finder) and then she arc'd her way thru the grain to sunset ridge. Since I was upwind, I left the hutka door open and filmed her thru the open door. When I went out onto the porch she streaked off. Not being in the mood to deal with neuroses, I drove home without waiting to see the sequel.

14 Jun

10:00 AM - decided to drive back and see if there was any activity at the log den. I got to the first rise behind the house where the reopened lane branches off, and there to my surprise were 2 kits playing. I stopped and got out of the car and called "kit kit" and tossed bread pieces. One kit was orange/red - and I assume the kit I have been seeing. The other kit was nearly coal black expect for red patches (like a Jackson Pollack painting - the red was tossed in here and there). The red kit was much more interested in me and moved thru the brush to the left to get a better view while under cover. The black one just sat there watching. Neither of them came to get the bread, tho the red one really wanted to. Properly so, they've no doubt been told not to take food from strangers. While the red kit was playing "hunter" and moving thru the brush (extremely visibile to me but from it's low height probably thought it was hidden) the black kit tossed a stick and played with it, chased its tail, stared at me, practiced jumping, end played kick-th-stone. The red kit came barreling out of the brush and jumped on the black one. They stood up in a boxing position and pawed at each other for a bit, and then rolled over together. I tore back to the house to get the camera, but naturally when I returned they were gone. The bread, however, is still there. Now the mystery is, who is the black kit? A cousin? A litter mate that has been heretofore unseen? The black kit is much darker than the kits at the shore. Have never seen it or one like it before. The camera now stays in the car.

On another topic - I reviewed the video taken in early May. The two foxes we saw by the natal den are definitely Nellie and Grey Back. Grey Back has a black cross running from his/her tail up the back. (A Christian fox married to a Jewish Mother?) So from the fact these adults were together at the natal den and from subsequent behavior, I think it's safe to assume Nellie is the mother and GB is the father. In reviewing video from 1994, Nellie has the same eating style (chews with mouth open) that Charlene ('94 kit) had. Don't know if eating styles is distinctive in foxes or not, but it could be Charlene. Or then again, who knows.

7:15 PM (19.15) - On my way back both Nellie and Grey Back were waiting at the top of the hill. Nellie slunk away, but without screeching this time. GB waited while I tossed some hot dog bits. Wouldn't come closer than 10 feet, but it's getting better. Made the circuit, left strawberries on the sitting rock, solidified gravy at the loop road, etc. etc. Coming uphill from the mound at the brook I met Grey Back coming down. He politely stepped off the road so I could pass. I got out and started talking to him. He just bypassed me in the grain and headed for the mound. Very blustery and windy tonight. Terrible storm forecast. I stayed in the hutka for warmth. Left some hot dog bits on the porch tonight to get them used to coming up. Nellie appeared at Sunset Ridge. She ate a bit and started trotting toward the hutka. The car was parked on the far side, but not completely out of sight. She got to the porch, spotted the car, and tore off. Next Grey Back appeared on Sunset Ridge. Nellie must have left a few morsels because he was eating something. He trotted down to the hutka and ate the dry cat food I had left about 6 feet from it. I could tell he really wanted the hot dog, but kept looking at the parked car. They never seemed to realize I was inside the building much closer to them than the car. Finally good sense prevailed and he trotted off, reluctantly leaving the hot dog behind. He stopped several times and looked back. After about 15 minutes and no more action I drove back. Nellie was waiting at the top of the hill. She got a "kit kit" and a milk bone. Just around the curve was Grey Back waiting. He got a "kit kit" and some cheerios. When I reached the deck of the house, I could see a fox (don't know who) sitting on top of the hill watching me talk to my neighbors and go into the house.

15 Jun

Oh wow! What an evening! Five adult foxes and two fox kits came out to greet me. The adults and kits were at various vantage points all the way up the hill from the first rise to the sitting rock. A new grey fox was the first to run up to me. It has much more grey than Grey Back. I was able to sit on the front bumper of the car and feed him/her. I *think* I saw the remains of a chevron on its chest (Pepper?) but couldn't see a white spot on the ear, so don't know. Anyway, that fox chased/raced the car everywhere I went. The dark kit was with an adult just before the sitting rock and was allowed to come close to me. Then, I was at sunset ridge and two adults and the red kit came right up to me. The kit was a little wary, but the adults came right up to the car. I suppose this is the formal presentation of me to the kits. It is thundering and lightening but the foxes were much more interested in the interaction than the weather. Got video of both kits and some adults. Got 35mm of both kits but couldn't get the telescopic lens to work so they may no be much. I'm certainly not a camera expert, darn, . . . but it's hard to drive, toss food, get out,interact and film all at the same time. I'm assuming now, but it would appear it is two different families, each with one kit. They may have banded together for ease in hunting/kit rearing. I am so excited with the progress that has been made. Only two more nights here before I go back to Chicago. Hope they remember when I return the following week.

16 Jun

A.M. - Tom wanted pictures of the fixed link (bridge) they are b uilding to connect us to the mainland and the view from the hill is good. Jumped in the car this morning to go up and take photos; when I got as far as the first rise, two little kits came rolling into view. The red and the black kit were hanging on to each other rolling around. I looked up the hill and there was an adult patiently watching. The black kit came over to investigate me and the red ran off to the adult. Soon a second red kit came out and joined the adult and the other red kit. The two reds made up a game of rolling down into the ditch. They would do a somersault right down the incline, jump up, and roll again. The black kit saw what was going on and ran to join the melee. Soon two were rolling in tandem while one was jumping on the adult. It almost looked like they were playing "King of the Hill". This went on for some time. I decided I had shot enough video of the kits at play and better get the pictures Tom wanted. As I drove past, three little heads poked out of the spruce trees to watch. I spent a little time taking both video and 35 mm of the bridge, when all of a sudden I noticed a fox in front of me. It was the friendly one from last night (Pepper? Abby?) that I shall call Full Grey for now. It saw that I noticed her so she turned and trotted down the hill. When I didn't come, she returned to where I was as if to say "follow me" and trotted away again. Finally getting the idea, I got in the car and followed her back to where the road goes in between the spruce trees. She waited, I threw her some dry cat food, she ate some of it, barked once, the kits came out, she ate more of it, and then left the road and sat in the tall grass some feet away, leaving me alone with the kits. One of the reds and the black one were the boldest. Both came to within 5 feet of me. They couldn't seem to find the milk bone pieces and had better luck with the dry cat food. (Odor?) Anyway, spent another 15 minutes with all 3 kits. One of the reds came out, but wouldn't come close to me. When I said "bye bye" and got into the car, the adult (Full Grey) rose from the grass and came to the edge of the road. I threw her a handfull of cat food and departed. In the rear view mirror I could see her eating it and the kits playing around her feet. Now I'm beginning to wonder if these are the kits from the cottage at the shore. Also, in reviewing last night's video, it was Grey Back and Full Grey that brought the red kit to me. Nellie stayed under the trees. I am absolutely confused as to what the family relationships are.

PM. Gosh, I can hardly believe this. Tonight when I went back, at the first rise in the hill there were FIVE (5) kits; 4 red and one black. The same baby sitter (Full Grey) was on duty and boy, did she look frazzled. I watched the kits play and videod until the mosquitos drove me off. I made the circuit and as I got to the raceway, Full Grey came streaking past me heading toward the brook. It was if she was saying "I've had them all day; now you can cope." Soooo, I ended up baby sitting 5 very active little fox kits. Couldn't video as I was too busy tossing a cheerio here and there to keep them entertained. Finally I saw Full Grey at the top of the hill so I jumped in the car and left. Took a side lane around and repeated my trip past sunset ridge to the hutka. All the food at the hutka was gone so Full Grey must have eaten it on the way back. I stopped and sat on the porch. Full Grey came to within 50 feet and just sat and watched. Eventually she curled up and watched. I kept nattering away. I finally got bored with it so closed up the hutka, got in the car to drive back. Full Grey kept just a few yards in front of me, turning around to check if I was coming. When we got close to the kits, she didn't like what one of them was doing and tore after it. Both disappeard under the spruce trees. The other kits watched with a grin on their face, like "yah yah yah - glad it isn't me." I tossed dry cat food and rolled on. Full Grey and the black kit came out to eat. As I got farther down the hill could see several kits in that area. Once again, a fox watched me until I went in the door of the house. What do we have going here? Last week I was thrilled with 1 kit. Two days ago was excited over 2 kits. This morning gave praise for 3 kits. Tonight we have 5 kits. Is our farm a day care center? Do fox families arrange play groups for their offspring? I'm afraid to go out tomorrow to see how many there are.

17 Jun

Three (or four) kits and three adults out to greet me tonight. The kits ran around so much and in and out of trees, I was never sure how many there were. Full Grey came right up to the car to get apple pieces. The kits weren't quite sure about apple, though they ate it. I don't think Full Grey is Pepper. I don't see a white spot on the back of the ear that Pepper had. And I don't think that would shed out. Another adult never came close enough for me to identify; it could have been Nellie. Since Nellie got over her panic attacks it's hard to tell . . . and I certainly can't tell the kits apart - except for the black one. One kit came right up to the car. This one was smart; it didn't wait at the first rise as did the others, it waited around the curve where the lane goes between the spruce trees. It had a clear field and came to within 5 - 8 feet of me. The other kits were having a real set-to in the spruce trees. I could hear the caterwauling from the lane. One must have got the worse of it as it dashed across the road to the other set of trees. I made the usual rounds and was surprised come back to find a kit near the end of the race way. I didn't think they would venture out alone so soon. But, not to worry, for an adult came loping along a few minutes after it. Probably giving the kit the illusion of being alone while keeping a watchful eye. I retreated into the hutka as the mosquitos were fierce tonight. No wind, absolutely calm, high humidity, and a storm forecast. Perfect pest weather. A little kit came alone up the lane from the sitting rock and was about 30 feet from the hutka. I ruined it by stepping out onto the porch. It ran back to the safety of the reopened lane. Tried to warn the kits I was going back to Chicago tomorrow and wouldn't see them for close to a week. I'll make the circuit in the morning and leave food before I leave for the airport. I was surprised at the number of adults. Evidently Full Grey put her foot down at being the sole sitter. Grey Back and Full Grey seem to work as a team I've noticed.

24 Jun

Did the circuit and stopped in the hutka to watch for results. Neighbors tell me in my absence they saw a fox in our garden. They assumed it was looking for my handouts. Bought chicken scraps from the local butcher so the foxes will eat well for awhile. Shortly after positioning myself in the hutka, I saw a fox at the end of the reopend lane. It looked toward the hutka/parked car. I went out on the porch and called "kit kit" but it went the other way. Several minutes later, repositioned in the hutka, I saw two fox heads. The first one and a larger one. Assume it was sitter and kit. The adult fox went to sunset ridge and ate all the dry cat food there and then came to the hutka for chicken bits. I decided to stay inside the hutka and not speak. As it came close I could see it was Full Grey. I could also see that Full Grey was very young. It was quite obvious she was no more than a yearling herself. Abby? It grabbed some chicken and ran back to the reopened lane. Nothing more happened so I drove down. At the top of the hill there was Full Grey in the middle of the road all curled up and watching for me. I got out of the car and called and threw some chicken bits. She allowed me to walk up to about 20 feet from her, when she stood and turned as if to go into the trees. I walked back to the car. As I drove closer she allowed 20 feet before she got off the road. That seems to be the allowable distance. Gave her a piece of bread and went on to the curve where I had seen kits play last week. Called "kit kit" and threw some chicken bits out when Full Grey came running around the corner. The kit was nowhere in evidence. Oh my gosh - as I type this I turned my head and looked out the back window. There is a fox on the lane about 60' from our back yard. It really is getting close to the house. Ran to get field glasses but fox gone when I returned. Full Grey looks very think - perhaps because winter coat is completely gone. There is no white spot on ear so we can count out Pepper (unless ears shed out too.)

26 Jun

Rain last night so couldn't go back. Tonight Full Grey was waiting at the top of the hill. I got out of the car and 20 feet again was the prescribed distance. I threw chicken bits and a couple of times she forgot herself and came as close as 10 feet, but always retreated to the safety zone. I left peach slices and canteloupe balls at the sitting rock. Did the circuit and coming out of the loop road on my way back, met Full Grey just coming in. Tossed some honey dew and canteloupe balls. Honeydew not on her preferred list. Ate one, left the rest. Did finish the canteloupe however. Left lots of chicken bits at the hutka and went inside out of the drizzle to wait. Didn't even get settled when Full Grey appeared next to it and ran straight for sunset ridge. She only had time for a couple of bites when something alerted and alarmed her. She took off running at least 25 mph, straight past the hutka, THROUGH the chicken bits and down toward the top of the hill. I waited for another 10 minutes or so and then got in the car and drove back. At the top of the hill I tossed a little bread piece and called, but no one showed up. I no sooner got around the curve when I saw in my rear view mirror Full Grey was chasing the car. I stopped and emptied the bread sack of crumbs out the window. She stayed by the drivers rear wheel until I pulled away when she attacked the crumbs. It looks like the family has moved to another hunting area with the kits and Full Grey is coming back to keep the contact. I don't worry as it was this time last year the kits were away for a couple of weeks. At least Full Grey is staying in touch. I have a very very strong suspicion it is Abby. It's hard to tell with her having no coat to speak of, but movement is very similar. (And yes, the foxes do seem to have different gaits and traits.)

27 Jun

Tom found fresh fox scat in the garden again this morning. Identifiable by color, mouse hair, and twisted ends. Full Grey and one of the red kits were waiting for us at the curve before the top of the hill tonight. Stopped, tossed some dried herring that was smelling up the fridge, talked, got some photos, and then slowly drove around the curve. There a second fox kit was waiting. These 2 kits are fairly comfortable with us. Full Grey just moves to the side of the road, but the kits scampered beneath the spruce branches. Left more tidbits at the top of the hill and lo and behold, Full Grey and three (3) red kits were scavaging. This is the second time I've noticed that Full Grey has snapped a kit away from a morsel that she wants. Made the circuit. While driving to sunset ridge, a fox kit was in the lane just above the sitting rock watching us. It also watched us leave food by the hutka, but wouldn't come closer. Tom had to grout the patio stone the Franklin Stove is sitting on in the hutka so I perched on the window seat and watched and waited. Nothing happend so eventually we started down. Half-way between the hutka and the end of the reopend lane, Full Gray was lying in the middle of the road. I got out and talked as I tossed shredded wheat biscuit and her ears twitched and her head cocked but as soon as I crossed the invisible line to closer than 20 feet, she stood and turned away. I said "ok" and walked back to the car. When I'm in the car, she'll come right up to it. Stopped at the top of the hill and Full Grey sat by the rear wheel waiting for a toss. Tom said he saw a kit under the spruce trees, but it didn't come out. After reviewing 1994 and 1995 videos, Full Grey is not Charlene, George, Pepper nor Abby. She doesn't have white streaks on her legs and her chest has different markings. Haven't seen Grey Back nor Nervous Nellie since I've been back this trip. Looks like Full Grey is the designated baby sitter. No sign, either, of the black kit.

28 Jun

Cutting hay all day today. No one waiting for us on our way up tonight. Left some bits, called, but no one came. As we were driving past the hutka on the way to the loop road, a brown rabbit was hopping on the lane before us. It seemed as if it didn't realize the car was there for several meters. All of a sudden it jumped in the air and made a dash for the brush. Did the circuit and coming back along the raceway toward the hutka and sunset ridge, there was either the same rabbit or its twin hopping along the road toward the hutka (retracing its earlier journey.) It crossed into the field behind the hutka. Tom thought surely there were no foxes around tonight as the rabbit was so bold in revealing itself. Spent some time in the hutka bemoaning the fact we hadn't bought enough tile for the floor. Saw nothing. On the way down we noticed the food on the sitting rock was gone. Sure enough, by the time we got between the spruce trees, there was a little kit peering out at us. I got out of the car and tossed some ham bits; suddenly Full Grey came out and hoovered up the food. The little kit is red but has a dark chest. It disappeared into the trees and I threw some bread crumbs calling "kit kit" and suddenly farther down the lane by the curve, a lighter red kit with a white chest appeared. Full Grey inched up to about 15 feet with me out of the car tonight, and up to the car when I got back in. Left a trail of bread crumbs as we descended and the light red kit came out behind us to clean those up. A little frustrated that these kits aren't playing around my feet by this time as last year's kits did. Also, from the size, it appears these kits were born earlier than last year's. Why are they still with a sitter? Last year's were left alone by now. The '94 kits were coming up to the car door by this time, tho we never got out with that litter. Full Grey is really ratty looking. Her coat is almost non-existant and she looks very shaggy.

29 Jun

Men were cutting hay again today. I painted the window and door trim on the hutka all day long. After the haying men left, Tom got the big tractor and the brush cutter out and was cutting along the lane and the hutka. Along about 6:00 Full Grey sat in the middle of the field and watched Tom cut and me paint. No sign of her when we drove down. Back again at 7:00 with treats for the evening fox hunt. Full Grey was waiting at the top of the hill. She won't budge on that 20' distance between us. She is training me more than I training her. No kits visible. Driving toward the mound by the brook, an adult red fox with a darker chest was waiting in the road by the mound. It slipped into the brush as we neared. Left food on the mound and called, but no one showed up. Fresh scat in the road by the mound. Did the circuit and coming out could see the food on the mound was still there. Got halfway up the hill to the raceway and met Full Grey. She sat and we stopped. I explained there was another fox and shouldn't she leave something for them? Her ears twitched and she looked understanding. As soon as we started the car she headed for the mound and ate it all. So much for generosity. We were putting the screens back in the hutka windows when Full Grey came bounding up through the fields straight for sunset ridge. She was picking up the food there and I went out on the porch to talk to her and she left. Hmph! Coming down she was in the middle of the lane waiting for us and got a few treats as we passed. No sign of the kits.

Early this morning we made a trip back to the new roads. Upper spring road is still impassable - springs still running. Lower spring road has been renamed Osprey Road as there evidently another youngster there; at least the adult set up a racket that has to be heard to be believed. Swooping, screeching, swooping, flying helter skelter.

30 Jun

Full Grey was waiting as I drove back tonight. A little kit's head poked out of the spruce trees, but didn't come out. We broke a barrier tonight - Full Grey came to within 5 or 6 feet of me. She feels more comfortable if I stand next to the car rather than walk away from it. She kept looking into the trees as if hearing something I couldn't. Made the circuit and waited for awhile in the hutka. No action. Drove back, and Full Grey was curled up in the middle of the road between the spruce trees. Once again a little kit's head peeked out. I finally threw out a hand of dry cat food and rolled on for about 30 feet. The kit (now named Bamboo) came out and thoroughly enjoyed the cat food. Full Grey went to the top of the hill where I had left some bread crumbs and mini shredded wheat biscuits. Eventually, Full Grey came down to where the car was and Bamboo went to the top of the hill. I was delighted to see she was eating something. It meant Full Grey wasn't as greedy as I was afraid she was. Again, Full Grey kept staring into the trees and finally went into them. Didn't see her again. Meanwhile, Bamboo came down just to make sure she hadn't missed anything. I threw out some milk bone and called "kit kit" - but she doesn't even look around when I call. Full Grey now expects a toss when I call. Evidently Bamboo did find some more as she spent a few minutes "hoovering" the area. A large bird, hawk or eagle, flew over and Bamboo froze; didn't move a muscle. Her head was pointed skyward and she watched every second until the bird was past. I threw some more cat food and called, but she just sat and looked at me. Felt we had made enough progess tonight so returned home.