Vicki Fox > Guests > PEI Foxes > 1997 Journal 1Q

PEI Foxes - 1997 Journal : January to March

Feb 17

My neighbor from across the road emailed me the following report. It's nice to have people checking on the foxes in my absence. We won't be back on the Island until late April/Early May (in time to see the new litter as they come out of the den.)

Dear Foxmomma One

Bright clear morning, skiff of freshly-blown snow, and a few tracks to the west of the shed between Arnold's two cottages. Then I spotted HIM trotting down our path (I'm certain it was a male from the "leg up, sprinkle, advance three steps, leg up & sprinkle" and so on...) When he moved into the tall weeds in our field and began mouse-hunting I was able to catch a good look at him broadside through the scope. His back and shoulders were a rufous colour, face and chest a sort of vanilla tone, legs and outsides of ears dark chocolate with the fur lining of the ears the light vanilla shade again. And his tail was magnificent. About midway down his back the reddish tone on his shoulders melded into a taupish-greyish brown which carried on into this huge fluffy tail tipped with vanilla that he carried straight out like a banner in a parade. Over the years I've seen a lot of foxes in the wild, but this guy's one of the prettiest.

I'm also happy to report that your "baby" caught a mouthful of mice (I'll describe his technique for you one day in person) and when last seen was carrying them in the direction of the shed. Just thought you'd like to know.

Luv, RRJ

Mar 22

Date: Saturday, March 22, 1997 4:30:05 PM
From: Scott MacDonald
Subj: Your foxes
Hi Janet,

I'm back from B.C. and teaching full time in Kensington until the end of the school year. I was by your place a couple of days ago and watched one of your foxes appear and begin mousing in the field directly behind your house. It caught two before disapearing into the pine shrubs. It seemed to come out as soon as heard my new truck's engine so it may be one of yours. It looked to be in good condition.

I'm going to leave as couple of muskrats out for it/them this week (extra energy for kit production).

There was a coyote shot (with a bow) in Parkdale last week when it was found that he'd eaten a few cats and was seen prowling aroound during the day. He showed no fear and simply watched the archer from about 15 feet when he was killed. There have been more and more sightings in town and we even have a pack living near my place in East Royalty.

Mar 25

Email from neighbor Ruth

Dear Foxmomma One:

Saw an incredible sight last evening. Halfway through the Academy Awards show Charmin asked if I would like to see a better show outside her window as one of your "babies" was making an appearance. ( She had thrown a pound or so of meat scraps onto the snow perhaps six feet out from the wall). There he was. Couldn't make out much of his colour (the moon was bright, and we had a clear, close view of him/her) but I THINK it was the same one I described to you a few weeks back. When I arrived at Charmin's window he was just finishing up the scraps (do they swallow them and then regurgitate?) and with no sign of nervousness whatsoever, he turned, made for the little poplar woods, breached the pagewire fence, took a short cut across our orchard, through the fence again and off across the field in the direction of Arnold's cottage. Incredible! So delicate of movement, so graceful and self-assured. Under normal conditions I would consider feeding them this close to the house, but this has been SUCH a difficult winter for them! And we seem to have found a method that doesn't disturb our pets. Other than Lady Wu, of course, whose eyes get the size of saucers whenever she sees this new "neighbour". She is absolutely fascinated. In fact it is usually Lady Wu who informs Charmin that our little friend has arrived for his supper. So far Buffy seems oblivious to Renard's comings and goings, except that she does sniff at the fence a lot where he slips through it.

That's Foxreport for today. Hurry on home.

Luv, RRJ