Week in the woods. Heat period of foxes

Submitted by Looduskalender EN on Sat, 03.02.2018 - 15:07
Avapilt
Sisu

Estonian text posted by the Animal of the Year Team 29.01.2018

Translation Liis

 

The video cuts from the trail cameras before the thaw start as usual lately –  a hare comes into camera view and examines the surroundings. Suddenly it stops and rushes back along the path that it came by. Something is different and causes anxiety. The reason apparently were the foxes, more mobile than earlier, that have made forest life livelier; several individuals passed the camera. A four-membered roe deer herd passed too. Two bucks and two does. Behind a tussock marked by foxes there was some grain  on the ground. The smell of the grain was probably one reason that attracted foxes to mark it with their smell. In the deer flock the bucks were most interested in these smells. Some mouthfuls of grain were also grabbed but no more. Sprayed grain was evidently not quite the thing. 

 

The trail camera installed on the path of the lynxes captured roe deer

 

rebane
A fine view opened in the farm yard. The piece of lard set out for the tits had disappeared from the lilac bush branch. The lard was fastened on a strong piece of wire and had been  hanging about two meters up. Now there was only the empty wire and the whole area under the shrub was heavily trampled by foxes. To get hold of the lard hard work had certainly  been required. Without doubt many jumps were in vain and when the delicacy was barely held in the teeth it sprung back at the first opportunity like a bow-string. 

 

rebane
The "raffaello" created a romantic occasion with the retrieved piece of lard and the foxes had been revelling on in the snow just in front of the house. 

 

rebane
Individual tracks of solitary foxes could only be seen in the forest. In open spaces all trails ran in pairs and very playfully.

 

jänes
The three-meter jumps of the mountain or snow hare. The cause of such speed could only be fear of the fox clan gone mad overnight. 

 

hiired
Mouse traffic between two higher tussocks. As soon as thaw overcomes the ice they must again stay  put separated by the waters. 

 

kits
Contrary to mice and others “on paws”, roe deer do not much like moving on the ice. Despite spreading the hoofs maximally it is still slippery. 

 

kits
Roe deer used jumping from tussock to tussock. The track meandered on for a long time showing that they had taken  off from one tussock and then landed on the next. 

 

 

Sildid

We use cookies on our website to support technical features that enhance your user experience.

We also use analytics & advertising services. To opt-out click for more information.