Date: 9th September 2025
Time: from 7:45 a.m.
Weather: dry, sunny, light wind, 12°C to 17°C
Following the sightings
of Red Foxes in the same general area in the northern section of the
site on my 2 previous visits on 5th September 2025 and 8th September 2025, I decided to specifically target this species this morning.
I baited a suitable location with dog food and dog biscuits and then settled down to wait sitting on my Walkstool and covered by my bag hide.
It was a long wait!
Finally, after about an hour, I had a brief view of a quickly running Red Fox which eventually reappeared some distance away. However, my view was obstructed by long grass and the directional light was all wrong.
Photo: Red Fox
The Red Fox eventually started walking towards me and it was evidently curious as to what my shape in the bag hide was. A staring match ensued!
Photo: Red Fox
Photo: Red Fox
The Red Fox then walked off and disappeared from view for a short time before emerging close by and providing the photo opportunity that I was seeking.
Photo: Red Fox
After a short period, the Red Fox reappeared, disappeared and then reappeared again running towards the area where I had originally seen it arrive from.
Photo: Red Fox
My largely “sit and wait” time in the northern section of the site also proved to be very productive for birds.
I added another species to my 2025 site list taking the total to 46 species: Ring-necked Parakeet (c.10 flew over heading in a northerly direction)
Other highlights included the following:
Common Buzzard: 1 heard “mewing” and then seen soaring for several minutes
Sparrowhawk: 2 females seen flying low and very fast and interacting aggressively plus a male and female seen soaring together
Chiffchaff: 1 heard calling but unseen
Blackcap: 2 heard alarm calling but unseen
Green Woodpecker: 1 calling bird seen flying over
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 calling bird seen flying over
With regard to mammals, and in addition to the Red Fox that I photographed, I had a brief view of a Reeve’s Muntjac in the same area.
After an exceptionally
good spring and summer for butterflies and dragonflies and damselflies, both
the numbers and diversity of species have significantly decreased. However, during
this visit, I did record singles of Emperor Dragonfly, Common Darter
and Large White.
The abundance of autumn fruits and nuts, including blackberries, sloes, hips, haws, acorns and horse chestnut "conkers", is still very apparent.
Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):
Chiffchaff
Red Fox
Emperor Dragonfly
Here are some other photos from my visit:
Photo: Sparrowhawks
Photo: Sparrowhawks
Site totals for 2025 to date (2024 totals in brackets):
Birds = 46 (49)
Birds = 69
Love nature .... act now
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