It was quite odd yesterday evening. I decided to go out to the moor yet again just to see if I could get more photos of Whinchat that had been showing so well just a few days again. I made my way down to the area that I had seen them before and it was disappointing now when I realised that there was no sign of them whatsoever. Just 5 days ago there seemed to be 5 pairs at least and now there were none! Quite odd. Later I did discover one pair but well away from the place where they had been almost numerous. As I wandered around I caught sight of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterflies, at last I photographed the underwing and I was able to confirm the ID.
The weather was incredibly hot and humid, very unusual in the UK. I walked very slowly and quietly as usual and caught sight again of a Snipe that is obviously breeding in a little pool and marshy area close to the track. I have seen these Snipe on 4 different occasions now and always in the same place so they must be breeding I would think. On my way back up the path I had a real treat. As I looked up the hill on my right I saw a small Fox sitting up like a little dog just watching out for anything that caught his/her fancy. I quickly got the camera ready and took a few shots but from a distance. It hadn’t seen me yet and I took steps nearer and got a few more. As I watched him I could see how intent on looking for a meal it was and it took little notice of me even though I was quite close.
Having now taken a few reasonably good shots I tried to get even closer but the fox was having none of it and immediately got up from his relaxed position and disappeared down off his little lookout spot and in to the bracken behind. What a lovely animal it was, very appealing and attractive with piecing dog-like eyes and a rich red coat. I looked around at the sight it would be getting and thought how lucky he was to live in such a nice place. Lots of food around with a Rabbit warren below, berry laden bushes beetles and the odd bird now and then. I would guess that they are not particularly persecuted now that the hunting ban is in force and hope that farmers don’t go out of their way too much to shoot them. Surely it would be worth the odd lost chicken to share your environment with a beautiful creature like this.