h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yesterday was very snowy. Since it was a Sunday and we didn't need to go out, we lit a fire in our wood-burning stove in the new kitchen and sat there for most of the day. I filled all our bird feeders, as the birds have problems finding food in the snow. I even put some bird seed in a special cage on the ground for the robins and blackbirds - blackbirds won't use a hanging feeder. The cage is designed to protect the birds on the ground from cats while they feed.

In the late afternoon, we saw a fox trying to figure out how to get into the cage. He was obviously very hungry if he was going to eat bird seed. I took a photo of him, then threw him a slice of bread, but he didn't seem to be interested in it. Then he went down the garden and appeared to be eating the bird seed that the birds scatter on the ground under the other feeders.

I followed him and threw him a slice of ham, as I feel sorry for the poor animal. Don't tell my neighbours, as they think of him as a pest, although he doesn't do them any harm. Even though a fox (I don't think it was this one) killed my guinea pigs in the summer, I can't blame the creatures.

Poor lad indeed, I imagine the quantity and timing of the snow caught him off-guard too. Despite the trouble they sometimes cause, they are lovely little critters

He amused us all by doing a "fox pounce" on the piece of bread - this involves leaping high into the air and coming straight down on the bread from about 2 feet above it with his paws outstretched. He obviously thought it might be a small creature.

Some family days, there is little better than a fire, a hot drink and watching the antics of nature. We have a generous population of black squirrels, and especially in fresh snow they provide hours of amusement

I can't blame you for feeding the fox. I won't tell your neighbours.

So long as you don't feed trolls.

We've lost ducks to a fox, but we still like to see foxes & other wildlife about. Our fault for inadequate fencing round the duck as well as letting them stay out at night.

The other day we saw a weasel run past the back door. It was rather surprised to come up behind our cat, who was absorbed elsewhere.

We don't have weasels in Ireland. I've been told there are stoats, but I've never seen one.

You know how to tell between them, don't you? ...

What a lovely picture you paint Gnomon Our foxes and badgers are very hungry too, and the birds. We have had only a sprinkling of snow but it is very icy. Our foxes will eat anything, but they do like sunflower seeds as does almost all wildlife apparently.

I can't watch much at the moment as I have been visiting my other half in hospital every day for a month, and it looks set to carry on for a while longer. I still feed them all but have little time to watch or put the camera out which I am sad about, but I just don't have the time or the energy.

Thanks for sharing,

Websailor

Hi Websailor. I've enjoyed watching your webcam badgers and foxes. I hope your other half gets well soon.

I always hear the voice of my late Uncle Jack, a farmer in Cavan, telling us

"A weasel is weasily distinguished, and a stoat is stoatally different." Must date back to music-hall days.

That's the one One of my more recent jokes, unfortunately.

Thanks Gnomon, we had a fox at lunch time today. He looked a but scruffy, though no sign of mange, but he was eating bird seed too They must be very hungry.

My other half had a second op. today, and has just phoned me, sounding very much more like his old self. I shall know more tomorrow.

I hope to find time to put the camera out again soon but I barely have a minute to spare these days and tend to forget it, though I still feed them all.

Websailor