When we bought our Littleton, Colorado, farm in 1990, a pair of red fox were denning beneath the barn and, for a decade or so, produced a litter of pups. Emerging in spring, the pups were a joy to observe as they scampered and tumbled about the property, oblivious of our presence. While they continued to feed on mice, voles and berries, the resident fox had already wiped out the cottontail population prior to our arrival.
Then, some years later, coyotes moved in, scaring off (and in one case killing) the fox and taking over their den. Concerned about the risk to neighborhood pets, I managed to dislodge the coyote family, though visiting coyotes have continued to appear on occasion. Once the coyotes and fox were extirpated, the cottontails returned and their population became problematic; fortunately, great horned owls and hawks (including northern goshawks in winter) were attracted to the abundant prey and the number of cottontails fell dramatically.
Now that the cottontails are recovering once again, I have hoped to see fox return and, on this cool, hazy morning, my patience was rewarded. A young red fox trotted up the driveway and was soon nosing his way through one of the pastures. The circle of life is complete and I am pleased to have this beautiful predator back on the farm (though I doubt the cottontails, voles and mice share my sentiments).
Then, some years later, coyotes moved in, scaring off (and in one case killing) the fox and taking over their den. Concerned about the risk to neighborhood pets, I managed to dislodge the coyote family, though visiting coyotes have continued to appear on occasion. Once the coyotes and fox were extirpated, the cottontails returned and their population became problematic; fortunately, great horned owls and hawks (including northern goshawks in winter) were attracted to the abundant prey and the number of cottontails fell dramatically.
Now that the cottontails are recovering once again, I have hoped to see fox return and, on this cool, hazy morning, my patience was rewarded. A young red fox trotted up the driveway and was soon nosing his way through one of the pastures. The circle of life is complete and I am pleased to have this beautiful predator back on the farm (though I doubt the cottontails, voles and mice share my sentiments).
