Thursday 8th May 2008

Sunny, E 3>4

The Evidence ;

Headless


and partly eaten Mute Swan


just metre`s away from two large entrance holes


Conclusion ;
I have breeding Foxes on my patch.
I can`t imagine that a Fox could take down an adult Mute Swan, so i think this bird must have been either injured or already dead. There was a trail of feathers through the nearby trees, so the Fox must have dragged it some distance.
I only saw the entrances to the den, because i went to have a look at the Swan. Otherwise i would`nt have known it was there. The timing`s right as well. Foxes give birth anytime from March > May and this is the only time that dens ( earths ) are used
All that remains now is to catch a glimpse of the animals themselves.
Well chuffed :)

Not much else about, apart from my first Common Footman ( larva ) of the year ;



Back at home, i had another moth year tick. This Grey Dagger ( collected as a larva, last year ) emerged from my rearing tank ;



And finally, managed to pot up & photograph one of the Esperia sulphurella`s that i mentioned the other day ;



Moth year list - 37 ( Common Footman, Grey Dagger )