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Click here to view photos of our Foxes »» I'm fortunate that I live in a very old house with several acres of ancient wild gardens, an area of woodland and a large, well vegetated natural pond teeming with Frogs, Newts and Dragonflies. In spring the woods is a carpet of yellow Celandines, Sweet and Dog Violets, which gradually give way to Bluebells and Wild Garlic. The wood is alive with birdsong and the pond heaves with Frogs and Newts. It also has a resident pair of Moorhens and a healthy population of the elusive Grass snake, which may be seen hunting - we keep a small compost heap nearby where the females lay their eggs. In the winter Mallards, Herons and Grey wagtails are regular visitors along with the occasional Snipe. Several species of woodland birds regularly nest here including Jays and Green and Great-spotted woodpeckers. Sparrowhawks are fairly regular visitors and I've missed some great opportunities to photograph them. Small mammals are in abundance and live trapping has shown that we have Common and Pygmey Shrews, Bank and Field Voles, Yellow-necked, Wood and House Mice. Even the scarce Harvest Mouse makes its home here. Hedgehogs and Moles are abundant and the house holds a small roost of Pipistrelle Bats, which are often seen catching moths attracted to our regularly used moth-trap. We've recently built a small studio overlooking the pond where it doubles as a hide and in early spring it is not unusual to see a Fox or a Weasel foraging on the far bank. Thirty-two Butterfly species have been recorded - including White Admirals - and regular moth trapping has shown several localised species to be regular breeders. The stars of the garden are undoubtedly our family of Foxes who I've been regularly photographing since February 2006. A small meadow is being created and last year two three-man wooden hides were discreetly positioned at either end in anticipation. I've not been disappointed, I've taken some great images. An account of their antics can be read in an article I've written for Amateur Photographer w/e 12 August 2006. Click here for images of our Foxes »» In 2007 I will be offering Photographic Workshops and Holidays here at our home. Details will appear shortly on All images © Terry Button |
