You pay peanuts you get Foxes!

The new location for the Bushnell Trophy Cam has been quite successful, with visits most nights from various animals. After the success of the Badger early on I had the bright idea of putting out some peanuts in the hope of keeping the Badger around the camera for a little longer. Well the Badger did pass by again but didn't stop. It was also quite foggy so not worth showing. The peanuts have had the desired effect with another species, a fox, which has been visiting regularly. Most recently two Foxes visited and there was some nice interraction between the 2.

Badger captured on Bushnell Trophy Cam

I got a Bushnell Trophy Cam some time ago and have been using it to watch the hedgehog family in my garden. Didn't know they were there until I started putting the camera out!

Anyway decided, at the weekend, that it was time to take the camera a bit further afield. Second night at the new location and captured a badger moving along the trail I had noticed at the edge of the field.


Also had a couple of Muntjac pass by on the same night:

Box End Park WeBS: 14/08/2011

Surprise of the morning was saved for the end, having done my circuit of the park I noticed a number of small birds in the grass by the camp site. These turned out to be Yellow Wagtails and a scan of the grass with the scope revealed at least 15, all of which appeared to be juveniles. These were a first for the site. While watching the Wagtails a Lesser Whitethroat was heard singing. Earlier a family group of Foxes was spotted in the field adjacent to the park. Two youngsters were indulging in a spot of play fighting until the adult stepped in to break it up. Most of the Common Terns have departed with just a single adult fishing over the lake at the end of the session. Full counts were:

Black-headed Gull 3
Common Sandpiper 2
Common Tern 1
Great Crested Grebe 1
Grey Heron 2
Grey Wagtail 1
Kestrel 1
Kingfisher 1
Lapwing 5
Mallard 76
Moorhen 4
Pied/White Wagtail 2
Sparrowhawk 1 (Carrying prey, possibly a blackbird.)
Yellow Wagtail 15

Total number of species: 14 Individuals: 115

Also present were ~72 House Martins and 11 Swallows. Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler were also present and the Sedge Warbler was carrying food.