I finally found some fox kits! This year they seem to have been particularly elusive though that may be perhaps this litter was quite young. The younger the kits the more difficult it can be to photograph them as parents often chase them back into the den at the first sign of danger. I was fortunate to capture some very young kits way back in 2011 but I’ve had difficulty finding and photographing such young kits since.
The downtown den never disappoints and there always seems to be foxes appearing at one point or another over the spring and summer. This is a well-known denning spot and with the exception of two years of disruptive construction, this den has housed hundreds of foxes over the years.
This den has probably been in this location for twenty years or more. This year I’ve counted four kits. Hopefully they will grow up and raise their own families someplace a little safer. Over the past few years the mortality rate seems to have increased. Before the construction there was less traffic both vehicular and pedestrian. I can’t say for sure if the more public presence has contributed to a decline in fox kit health but I have noticed when people know where foxes are they try to “help” by putting out food.
Not only does this diminish a foxes natural fear of humans it means they are not learning to hunt to survive on their own. SO while human-built structures support foxes by providing suitable denning areas, the more public the denning space the greater the risk to the young from humans.
I’d like to see a balance where humans and foxes or any other wildlife for that matter could co-exist in peace. A lot of that depends on our ability to let go of our need to control our environment and adapt our environmental needs to consider the other creatures that live in our towns and cities.
That’s all for now! Have a great week and we’ll see you next Sunday.