Not just a badger but....

In recent weeks we've started to see a fox in the back garden, visiting just 30 minutes or so before the badger. We've not been able to discern if it is a male or female but it has left the garden with a chunk of food in its mouth so its possible there are cubs somewhere close. Things got better last week when a second fox appeared as well. The first fox was particularly orangey brown with a stark white tip to its bushy tail and the second had a much darker coat, but both looked healthy enough.

For a few nights the badger turned up after the fox but last night we were fortunate enough to see both badger and fox in the garden at the same time. The fox was raiding the badger box and then the badger sauntered out from under the bush and began munching the peanuts. They didn't seem to acknowledge each other, then there was a bit of circling before the fox took off. The badger went about his business for a while and then the garden descended into silence again. A real treat.

The blue tits seem to have fledged sometime around the Bank Holiday weekend and we didn't even see them leave. There were at least two chicks based upon the noise they made when the parents returned with food, and given the frequency of visits they would have been well fed.

Badger battles

The had always been the suspicion that there were multiple badger communities in the area and it would seem we have some proof this week. On two consecutive nights this week, around 21:00 there has been an almighty racket in the back garden. It starts off sounding like a fight between cats but is much more guttural, less high-pitched. On the first night it was down the side of the house and we couldn't see them without disturbing them but on the second night it was down by the pond and there they were. Two badgers going at it. One asserted his authority and chased the other up the garden before the retreating badger turned and rounded on the other. There was a brief tussle, plenty of deep growling, more of a tussle and then the chase went on through the hole in the fence.

It looks as though Blue Tits have moved into one of the bird boxes. There are four boxes available but last year we had no residents. This year the Blue Tits have had to fend off other perspective tenants to claim the box with both another pair of Blue Tits and a Great Tit showing plenty of interest. There's been plenty of back and forth to prep the nest but no suggestion that the eggs have hatched yet as there's been no sign of food going in or sacs coming out.

Brownsea birding

Took the kayak out for a paddle around Poole Harbour, circling Brownsea Island and Furzey Island in the beautiful late morning sunshine. No wind, flat and most satisfyingly, nobody else about. With some binoculars in the dry bag managed to do a bit of boating birding seeing the following:

Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Oystercatcher, Cormorant, Great-crested Grebe, Lesser & Greater Blackbacked Gulls, Herring Gull, Blackheaded Gull, Crow, Blackbird, Robin, Blue tit, Mallard, Shelduck, Pied Wagtail.

Nothing earth-shattering but a nice sight nonetheless.

Strangest coincidence

Of course it is purely coincidence but sometimes you have to wonder. The thought crossed my mind that I'd not seen a Goldcrest yet this year so when next I was brushing my teeth I wandered to the back window and looked out at the trees. A sudden darting movement caught my eye and a shape flitted from the fir to pine tree and there it was, a Goldcrest zipping around, pausing for a second or two before moving on. Most bizarre.

Went for a walk with the little one two weeks ago in Bourne Valley, beautiful sunny afternoon, and we witnessed five crows mobbing a buzzard just twenty feet or so off the ground and then when we went a little of track we stumbled across an adult fox. Great sighting but it was soon to be outdone. Further along the path we descended and disturbed three foxes, two playfighting and the other scent-marking. All beautifully bright orange coats, healthy looking with fine bushy tails. The little one's first fox sighting and although she thought it was cool I think I was more impressed.

And to finish the wildlife update we saw the badger last night, for the first time this year. He visited around 8pm and made short work of the leftover sandwiches.

New year, new bird list

The badger continues to come very late at night, eats what's been left out and then digs holes in the garden.

The new year's day walk was a bit of a washout given the wind and rain so we were reduced to a wander around Poole Park. Made up for it with a walk in Wareham Forest today and then a scooter around Holes Bay, culminating in a nice sighting of a kingfisher flushed from the rocks at the water's edge.

The birding list for 2014 has begun with most of the regulars popping up early to boost the list.