Monday 20th August. Bit of a disturbed night. We were woken by the repeated “bark” (more of a deep screech) of a fox outside the open window, as it passed by trotting along the lane. We leapt to the window in time to see the silhouette heading towards Croft Hill. We got back into bed, and I was just dozing off when the security light came on, and I got to the window in time to see the fox wandering across the front garden before heading next door. It was a large sleek and handsome dog-fox. Its only the second time that I’ve seen a fox around Croft.
When I am on the “night shift” I usually see at least half a dozen urban foxes. Fox cubs have played next to the car as I am making notes after a visit, and I have seen a fox scavenging on grass next to a petrol station being ignored, and ignoring, dog being walked a just a few feet away. A couple of weeks ago I stopped at traffic lights on the way home, and fox crossed behind the car, stopping in the adjacent lane next to the car to have a scratch. I could see a car approaching from behind, and so opened and closed the car door. The fox kept scratching. I had to sound the horn to persuade him to carry on crossing the dual carriageway, no doubt disturbing local residents!
Chas was bit grumpy this morning. “First I’m woken to see a fox barking, and then I’m woken again to see a fox not barking. Hmph.”
Technically we live in Oaktree House, but sadly the tree had to go.
We now have a thriving Oakstump at the front of the house.
