Snow still clings where sunlight does not easily reach, but out in the meadows, foxes are again blending into the background.



Foxes will eat whatever their local area provides, but voles form the bulk of their prey in rural areas. Field voles prefer tall grassy vegetation with a stem base thick enough for them to construct their network of tunnels, and consequently tend to suffer local population crashes when fields are grazed and trampled by sheep. But this tussocky field, occasionally used by horses (which, unlike sheep, are a native species to the UK) and currently empty, should suit them fine. I could see the fox listening...and the ubiqituous vulture of the North Downs waiting hopefully on the post



But the fox didn't catch anything in this pounce, and continued up the field.



Its lack of interest in the woodpigeons struck me as curious. I've seen foxes attempt to catch birds in open fields on a number of occasions, and always miss. Foxes can run fast enough when they choose to, but springing from cover would certainly increase their chance of catching prey with wings. Possibly this fox had attempted to catch the pigeons before, and had learned from the mistake.



It did not stay still for too long.


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It is considerably warmer today, but the sparrows are still fluffed up against the cold



And horses' breath still half-freezes around them.



Meanwhile, in the garden, the small birds are visiting the pond, which has remained unfrozen due to the pump.

Blue tit



Bullfinch



But they have not been alone. Yesterday, I was half out of the patio doors when alarm calls violently erupted from the garden. A female sparrowhawk whizzed across the lawn not three feet above the ground, pursuing a bird into the hedgerow, but apparently without capturing it. She was gone again in the blink of an eye but hopefully I will have a chance to photograph her, should she return