I know that you’re most likely to be here for the knitting, but fair warning there’s none of that here today. Instead this post is all about my lovely garden visitor Kit and her sweet cubs (eeeek!)
Kit started visiting my garden in February 2019. I’d see her peeking through the broken fence and managed to get a few pictures of her from a distance. She was drawn to our garden by the presence of our hens and when I wasn’t in the garden she’d try every way possible to find a way into their run, causing much panic, consternation and a great many ruffled feathers in the process. But the run, built by my inventive and clever husband, defied all foxy attempts at entry and the hens stayed safe and well. I felt a bit sorry for the fox, who was very thin and scrawny, with a damaged eye and who showed such tenacity and ingenuity in her attempts to get a warm, feathery meal, and so I started to throw her small scraps of food whenever I saw her – it was always possible to know when she was around by the sound of alarmed clucks from the hens.Gradually over a couple of weeks the fox decided that the hens were not worth the bother and so stopped trying to chase and torment them and instead went close enough for them to sound the alarm, whilst seeming to understand that this would result in me appearing from the back door with something nice to eat in my hand. We found she’s partial to leerdammer cheese slices, hot cross buns, raisins, cooked chicken skin, infact anything chickeny (though I never feed her cooked bones as they can splinter into sharp shards), digestive biscuits, bacon rinds but not definitely tuna, which she turns her nose up at.
Back in spring of last year she was visiting sporadically and we’d go a week or more without seeing her and then there she’d be again. I wasn’t sure at that point whether she was male or female but one day in May I took some pictures of her when she visited in daylight and when I looked at them I could clearly see teats. So we knew at that point that she was A. Female and B. had cubs somewhere, and I decided to stop calling her fox and give her a name, Kit (from Kitsune, the fox from Japanese folklore). I hoped so much that she’d bring the cubs to the garden at some point and in June I did once have a brief glimpse of one cub with her but I have a feeling that the cub didn’t make it as we never saw it again. Kit however kept visiting and I kept feeding her little tidbits. The hens grew bored of panic and became complacent, not even glancing up from their corn when she trotted by. I have a lovely video of Kit in front of the run and Bluebell, the biggest hen just looking at her and before we tidied the top of the chicken run ready for new fencing it was covered in a thick layer of ivy and was a favourite place for Kit to curl up and nap on, with the oblivious hens happily pecking below.
As 2019 ticked over into 2020 Kit was visiting daily and I felt very lucky to be regularly seeing such a beautiful wild creature up close. I started to keep a note in my diary of when she visited and in mid February I noticed she was getting rather barrel-like around the middle and it soon became clear she was pregnant again. On the 1st of March she didn’t visit and when she turned up again on March 3rd she was no longer plump, so we knew that she’d had her cubs and within a week her teats were clearly visible. Throughout March and April she’s continued to visit daily for her regular supplementary snacks and has been coming more in the daytime perhaps while the cubs were safely napping in the den. Last monday I heard some funny noises in the garden just before bedtime and when I looked out there were a pair of cubs frolicking on the grass and pouncing on worms. I tried to take some pictures but in the dark they came out blurred and grainy and were not much to look at. We heard them again the next night and on wednesday we saw Kit with one of the cubs. But then on Thursday there was no Kit, and on Friday she didn’t come, although I saw the two cubs in the garden at around 2am, and on Saturday still no Kit and no sign of the cubs and I was starting to worry that something bad might have happened to her.
On Sunday morning I woke up at just before 7am and got up to feed the chickens and just as I was coming back into the house I heard a sound behind me and there was Kit again. I was so pleased to see her and found her a snack, which she promptly carried off to a corner of the garden. There was a movement in the bushes and as she came back to enquire about further snacks a small, plump and fluffy bundle came running after her. I sat on my kitchen floor for the next 40 minutes with my camera, feeling immensely privileged to be witnessing the scene before me as Kit washed and cleaned her three little ones: nibbling at their fur to groom out fleas; snuffling their plump bellies and licking their ears. Like all small children they squirmed and complained and played up, running off to investigate various bits of the garden and giving some of my garden furniture a nibble in the process and she was wonderfully tender and loving with them. Eventually she came right up to the back door again to see if I had one last snack and two of the cubs followed her. By the time they all trotted of into the bushes again I’d taken 240 photos on my camera. So these are the highlights 🙂
I just wanted to add that although there is a small element of trust between us she definitely retains her wild instincts and I’d never try to get close to her. She will come into the garden when we’re outside too, but she keeps her distance and we never approach her but leave it for her to decide how close to us she is comfortable with. I never feed too much and do everything to ensure she does not become dependent on us or in any way tame and I only ever give food to her when she arrives, so she can take it to the cubs herself. When she first arrived I only started to feed her in order that she didn’t chase the hens and this arrangement has become a satisfactory one for all involved parties, she leaves the hens in peace and, most surprisingly to me, they now ignore her 🙂
little cotton rabbits 
Wow. She is really quite lovely and those cubs just awwww worthy.
It is a really hard decision how much to give them treats isnt it.
I think what you are doing is a nice way – she comes to you – not like you are leaving food every day for her to rely on. those cubs are going to be interesting to see how they cope and survive.
I guess even though some would consider them a pest (especially here in farming Australia) they are still wild creatures and it does make one feel great seeing them up close….well done to you and how cool are you chickens for accepting her now. Enjoy her as long as you can and she obviously feels quite safe in your yard. Well done. Does Toby enjoy her visits or is this just your little piece of quite luxury ‘self’ time….. love
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How wonderful, what an amazing thing to be able to see her so close up. Wild creatures can be quite trusting once there is a routine, but as you say, they really do stay wild. At the wetlands place, they feed the wild birds on the lake in winter, and the keeper makes a special whistling sound and can walk among them with this wheelbarrow. Some of them will even come up to the barrow and help themselves. He throws shovel-loads of grain out for them and they are all completely calm. But if there is any deviation at all from the routine – no whistle, a different keeper, a different route etc. they all fly off in an instant. Your photos are gorgeous, it must be wonderful to have them visiting. And I love how the hens have calmed down now as well, that made me smile. CJ xx
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Thank you so much for sharing these gorgeous pictures and news that Kit is okay, I had wondered.
I agree that your `treat’ regime is spot on. Both you and Kit are benefiting from the arrangement and with your gorgeous pictures so are many others.
I have an occasional visit from a fox and found that he/she likes toast with peanut butter. I’d dropped it and left it for the birds only to see fox eating it.
Hope Toby is more settled this week.
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These are wonderful photos and to see this family surviving is a real tonic. Did not realise that cubs have lighter coloured coats which has made me look that fact up! Great that ‘wild’ aspect is at your forefront while helping nature survive in modern times. They are such beautiful animals – how lucky are you x
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Lovely photos. We had a fox build her den and have her litter two years running in a very small steep urban garden. One evening I looked out to see her jump the fence carrying a burger takeaway bag she’d obviously picked up from around a shop nearby! Since we’ve moved to a much more rural spot I haven’t seen a fox in years!
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Beautiful photos. It must be such a joy to have such wonderful visitors in your garden.
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This isn’t knitting but my love of all thing fox 🦊 is what lead me to you & your patterns. My first purchase & creation was your fox patterns. All three look healthy & thriving. So wonderful for you to witness. We have foxes, rabbits of course… and the odd bear 🐻 in our yard. I love that we all co-exist & appreciate them all immensely! Enjoy the silent spring during the noisy pandemic. I hope this leads to an appreciation of the simple life ❤️🦊🐻🐰!
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Thank you for sharing this heartwarming story. I enjoy your blog posts no matter what the topic of the day is going to be.
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Ohmygosh Julie — this is amazing! What a fantastic experience — Kit Loves You! (She probably knows all about your Little Cotton Foxes and wanted to give you some up close and personal viewing time LOL.) I LOVE that she trusts you enough to visit with her babies. We have foxes in our area too. I’ve only ever seen one years ago, but there’ve been reports of foxes with their cubs living in a few backyards under people’s decks. What a beautiful post — thank you so much for sharing your beautiful photos! XOXO
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Simply amazing, what a wonderful treat! I live in the suburbs of Washington DC and always to my surprise I will occasionally see a fox trotting down the sidewalk as I’m raising the shades in the morning. We more often hear them calling for mates when we have windows open at night but I’ve never been privileged to see kits. I’m in awe of your photos, thanks so much for sharing them.
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Oh, goodness! This absolutely made my day. Those pictures are incredible and warm my heart. Thank you so much for sharing Kit and her cubs with us!
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Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures. What satisfying relationship you have. May it continue.
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I found your blog because of the Little Cotton Rabbits, and have visited often because we have a five year old great grandson in our lives with pediatric glaucoma. Your loving care of Toby is an inspiration. But it is your beautiful countryside and wonderful photos that keep us coming back again and again. This is a blog I share often with my husband! Thank you!
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Last summer we had a little fox reaching up to eat apples from our tree – so I presume you can add apples to your list of treats (we live in rural Pennsylvania).
You take the most wonderful photos! And your writing is excellent too. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
I always enjoy your Instagram posts too.
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its always special when a critter wants to come and live where we are. I bet she appreciates the extra titbits to supplement her diet and help feed her youngins.
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Oh Julie your photos are wonderful, you’re right this is such a privilege and thank you for sharing it with us! The trust she has in you that she will bring her babies is so lovely.
Just amazing … I love foxes.
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Such beautiful little creatures!! I wish everyone were as kind to them.
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Such a pleasure to read of your visitors. Hope to see more photos from time to time. And you flower photos and walk in the woods photos give me a smile each time!
And, of course, the knitted creatures, too……
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So lovely! What a privilege, indeed.
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Gorgeous and thank you for sharing ❤
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Ohhh, so sweeeet!!!
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LOVE
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What a lovely story. Made my day.
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The fox and cubs photos are beautiful. We don’t have them in NZ. Thank you for sharing the lovely photos and writing about them.
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These are quote wonderful and a perfect Mother’s Day gift!
I am a school librarian so the first thing that I thought of after reading your post was . . .
“YOU should turn these into a children’s book!”
You are a wonderful storyteller (lots of details) and your photos are spectacular!
Just a thought 🙂
Mary Kate
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Beautiful photos. I’m glad that the fox is allowed to visit your garden.
Erika
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What a perfectly sweet Mother’s Day post! I’m so happy she has found a place of sanctuary in your garden. I think you’ve found the right balance between snacks for her and maintaining her wildness. If there are any naysayers, they are just grouches and humbugs. Thank you for this post of peace and happiness in today’s grim world. I hope you have a very happy Mother’s Day.
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What beautiful pictures!!! Just a word of warning regarding raisins, as apparently these are toxic to foxes, as they are to dogs. Only something I recently learned by chance. Not many people know about it.
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Such a great post – many lovely pics. What wonderful faces those foxes have, and I love the bushy tails! Such a treat to look at. Thank you. I also like that you are so respectful of Kit and her family.
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ThankyouthankyouthankyouTHANKYOU for these beautiful pictures and narrative. You are smart and kind. The cubs are so beautiful! My spirits are lifted.
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Oh, Julie! What a delightful story and amazing photographs.
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Just found this Julie! What beautiful photos. You are so lucky she trusts you enough to bring the cubs to visit. What are you going to call them?
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That is amazing!! As an animal lover myself, I would love to have this experience. Thank you for sharing this!!
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Ahhh! They are fantastic pictures. How lovely to have such beautiful creatures visit you. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Lovely photos, and a lovely story your so lucky to have her.
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Thanks so much for letting me know Anna. Raisins are definitely off the menu from now on!
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We live in Nedlands, close to Kings Park in Perth, Western Australia. Foxes came to Australia long ago and became a problem due to their predatory nature and efficiency in decimating small native animals. (Feral *cats are a bigger problem.) With measures taken to manage this in rural regions, some foxes have moved closer to cities and suburbs. It was disputed they’re even living in Kings Park, until photographs showed them near picnic areas scavenging for food at dusk. As a lover of all animals in nature, especially birds, it has been a pleasure to read about and see the visiting vixen Kit and her pups. All of your posts, both written accounts and photographs, are an inspiration to me and many. Thank you! p.s. I’ve also gained a lot of pleasure knitting rabbits from your patterns and *cats. Over the last 70+ years family cats have been beautiful pets, but not allowed out of the house at night. Our last puss, Lily died recently aged 20yrs.
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how absolutely gorgeous! such lovely photos ~ thank you for sharing.
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Julie those photos are just awesome! I love how they’re playing with each other with such content. Just lovely!
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Oh how absolutly wonderful! what a blessing to have such a lovely fox and now her sweet cubs visiting you. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photographs with us.
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You’re very welcome, Julie. As an animal lover, I knew you would want to know. It’s one of those strange things that you would never expect to be poisonous at all. Years ago I had a cat who would go mad for Dundee cake, and I did let him have a tiny piece occasionally, not knowing about this at the time, but thankfully he was not affected. The way you have crossed it out in the text is great, as it really draws attention to it, and will likely help more people become aware!
I meant to write to you sooner, to say how completely in awe of and in love with your creations I am, and I have bought several of your patterns to make for when my nieces and nephew start families, although I don’t think I can wait for that! I’ve already bought some yarn, and after reading the story about the rabbit that travelled all the way to America and back, I can just imagine little noses starting to twitch inside those balls of wool somewhere!!!
Also I wanted to say thank you ever so much for the really thorough tutorials! I have a very strong feeling that knitting my first ‘Little Cotton Rabbit’ will really add to my knitting and seaming skills in general, so that is another reason to start as soon as I can!
Sending love and very best wishes for you and your loved ones!
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Oh I would be in heaven to have these beauties in my garden. I adore foxes so much. Thank you for sharing the story of Kit and these adorable photos xx
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Oh those pups are so darn cute! So chunky and fluffy, i must have one haha
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