Spring into action

Spring is by far my busiest time of the year, as the majority of the ground that I look after is designated to sheep farming. Most of these farms will begin lambing from 1 April and although we have been hitting the foxes hard since the start of the year, a field full of young lambs and afterbirth pulls foxes in like a drunken youth to a kebab shop.

Foxes are drawn in to the smell of blood and afterbirth along with the small cries of a young animals. Although clearing up the afterbirth of those lambed out in the open may be welcomed, it’s not long before a fox’s attention can turn to the young lambs, especially when they are still covered with afterbirth and unable to stand.

As most ewes will often carry twins, a fox can quickly take the first lamb while the ewe is giving birth