Shortly after delivering his eerie mating calls back in January, our resident red fox disappeared from the farm. Having decimated the cottontail population, he may have departed for more productive hunting grounds. Then again, he may have received no response to his nocturnal calls and set off to find a receptive mate.
Whatever the reason for his departure, the fox has now returned, nosing about our property in pursuit of mice and chowing down on bird seed in the feeding area. The berries that he enjoys won't be available for several months but there's always the opportunity to snare squirrels and ground-feeding birds. Then there's likely plenty of dog food set out by our neighbors; fencing does not impede this wily canine.
We are glad the fox has returned but must acknowledge his dramatic effect on our small ecosystem. Ever since he wiped out the cottontails, hawks and great horned owls are far less common on the farm and he may have to leave once again if sufficient food is not available. We, of course, will not intervene, content to observe this attractive hunter as he interacts with our other wild residents.
