Far too many people scurry through Rawcliffe Meadows paying little attention to the wildlife that comes so close, or the bird song that is so loud. This first Sunday in January was no exception when people shouted at their dogs, ran though with earphones or ambled through with headphones, whilst in the spot that has recently witnessed a grey heron and a fallow deer, and frequently has jack snipe hiding among the reed and rushes was a fox. A very bold fox, for whilst another dozed in the sunshine behind the fence near their den, this one was playing, and paying little attention to the small group watching him or her very closely.

A somewhat shaky video of part of the the fox’s exploration is available on YouTube.