Where are the marsh foxes’ dens.
7th April 2012: Last evening I searched a small privately owned wood close to, but not part of the marsh. The wood has not been maintained and is littered with fallen branches. There are many old and new animal excavations along a steep bank. The ground is very sandy and an obvious favourite place for badgers and foxes to dig their setts and dens: there are many of both.
I placed a remote camera on a tree trunk above a particularly well-defined hole. I didn’t want to spend too much time in the wood, being an obviously active site; I didn’t want to cause unnecessary disruption to the animals. My idea is to locate a suitable fox den and select a lie-up point high on the bank, from which to photograph cubs playing around their den in early evening sunlight – hopefully, during the next couple of weeks.
This morning I crept into the wood to retrieve my remote camera. Almost immediately I saw a fox winding its way through thick undergrowth. There were two images of badgers on the memory card.
This project needs careful planning or I will end up upsetting the animal, making a mess of the small site, and possibly end up with nothing.
Great post…Im experiencing the exact same conundrum. I’d love to get some photos of fox kits this Spring, in a marsh nearby, but do not want to disturb them in preparation for the shot.
Best of luck! 🙂
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Yes, this can be a problem. I have decided to abandon my initial approach, which was to use remote cameras to to find out what was happening on the site. Instead I will approach, watch and photograph from a static position at the top of the bank.
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This will be fun to follow, and hopefully learn something in the process. Thanks for sharing it with us!
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Don’t hold your breath! I’ve been trying to locate the marsh vixen’s den for years. This location does look promising, though. We will have to wait and see … 🙂
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I love reading about the animals and how carefully you approach them. The tension that creates is an exciting part of the story you are telling. I wish you luck in getting what you want without disturbing the habitat.
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Thanks, Dezra. 🙂
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Good luck on finding the shot you want, great spring project, MJ
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Thanks, MJ. 🙂
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Good hunting Mike,edge of the seat stuff, yes I have a boring life
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Thanks, Dave. I hope you don’t consider that you have a boring life because you read this blog? 🙂
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I am enjoying your posts; they are a direct contrast to my city life, although I do have a den of foxes living next door in the yard of the abandoned (foreclosure) house.
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Thank you. You’re not a literate city fox are you?
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How eggsciting…I mean exciting Mike! Too many choccie eggs eaten today 😉
Good luck Mike!
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Ha ha! Very good, Pam. 🙂
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Grateful for sharring this
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