Fox Field Signs

New Forest Foxes are not usually easy to observe –generations of mistreatment at the hands of man has seen to that. But Fox field signs are relatively commonplace and provide clues to the habits of these fascinating creatures.

Here are some examples:

	Fox droppings

	Fox - bird prey remains

Fox prey remains - bird feathers
Scatterings of feathers – wood pigeon remains are particularly common - are sometimes found littering the ground in New Forest woodlands. Quills when bitten off indicate a Fox as the hunter, as birds of prey tend to pluck the feathers without damaging the quills.

	Fox prey remains - squirrel's tail found on the Forest floor

Fox prey remains - squirrels' tails
Grey squirrel tail tips are sometimes encountered on the ground. Both New Forest Foxes and buzzards prey on these animals.

Fox prey remains - shrews
Shrews found dead on New Forest paths probably indicate the work of a Fox. Shrews are, though, unpalatable, and are not often devoured.

	Fox cub droppings at a New Forest Fox earth

Fox earths
Foxes often take over part of a rabbit warren for use as a breeding earth, or cohabit with badgers. Occupation by a Fox family often goes unnoticed, though, until the cubs start to regularly venture above ground, which is usually in late-April or May. Then, Fox prey remains brought back by the parents are often left to litter the vicinity of the earth. (Rarely do badgers leave food item remains above ground).

Fox cub droppings – miniature versions of those left by adults – also betray a Fox family’s presence. (Adult Fox droppings are not often found around the earths – adults are usually too wary to leave signs such as this, although occasionally droppings found in mid-winter help identify likely breeding earths).

	Fox prey - rabbit remains at a New Forest Fox earth

Fox scent
Foxes are prolific scent-markers - they leave pungent calling cards at strategic places around their regularly used beats. And the purpose? To give notice of their presence to other Foxes.

Fox scent is deposited from glands on the Fox’s feet and close to the base of the tail, and can often be detected by our relatively insensitive human noses – the scent hangs on the air for lengthy periods of time and has a strong, earthy aroma that is not wholly unpleasant.  

References:
Collins Field Guide to the Mammals of Britain and Europe: David Macdonald and Priscilla Barrett
Collins Guide to Animal Tracks and Signs: Preben Bang and Preben Dahlstrom