The Runt of the Litter

Since moving to Cornwall around ten years ago we have always looked out for the five or six generations of fox cubs that have evolved along the way and during most summers and autumns there has usually been a runt of the litter to which nature has not dealt a very kind hand and the rest of the litter dominate both it and the pecking order for any food that comes their way.

This year has been no exception and the rather sad condition that you can see of this years runt in the image above tells its own story,   This particular cub which we believe to be female has like several others over the years taken to visiting our garden during mid to late afternoon feeding on fall-out from our bird feeders and any scrap food that might be on offer early before the rest of her sleeping family arrive later to dominate the supply.

This cub arrived early yesterday evening as I was setting up for a badger shoot so I set out a handful of peanuts and retreated to the house to watch her progress.  Her timidness was as such that it took several aborted attempts and six minutes for her to take her first nut after which she settled down to eating the rest,  Had their been another fox around it would have cleared them long before she got a look in.

In the shot above our little cub timidly takes its first nut and gradually settles to eat the rest,  It will need all the help it can get and a lot of luck if it is going to survive the winter months ahead.

Millpool Wildlife

ON LAND

A chilled out fox cub relaxing in the middle of the lane access to the Millpool and below a fine young buck Roe Deer feeds on grasses as it works its way through local fields looking for female deer.

A resident male Pheasant patrolling his patch in the field adjacent to the pool,

ON AND IN THE WATER

A Water Lilly reflects nicely on the still surface water off the pool.

A two foot long 15 lb + wild common carp cruises between the wed beds with its dorsal fin projecting though the surface water.

An adult Moorhen finds a floating dog biscuit on the surface that has come off our hook when used as bait for Silver fish and Perch bait.

A Female Emperor Dragonfly lays her eggs on surface floating pond weed

AND IN THE AIR.

The male Emperor that the above female has just mated with lands to take a rare break from seeking out females and fighting off rival males,

A pair of mating Broad bodied Chasers hang in the air from a dried reed stem to complete their mating cycle.

A pair of Narrow -winged Damselflies hooked up and mating in the morning sunlight.

And finally a female Broad-winged Damselfly also known as a damoiselle takes a break on a fresh green Hazel leaf.