Tracks in the snow, frozen ponds and badger holes

Another cold snowy day, the lawn is covered in tracks and I couldn't resist going out to look at them. There were many bird tracks and the fox had spent much time prowling around, I was able to see his entrance and exit points very easily. Here is a photograph showing both bird and fox tracks.

The poor fish are frozen into their pond and although we break the ice daily, it soon freezes over. The gold fish give us much pleasure, as we enjoy watching them. We never feed them as there is enough food in this very established pond to support them. However now we have a problem with the beautiful  local multi-coloured cat, who also enjoys them although not in the same way, we will have to decide whether or not to replace them. There is also a black and white cat who visits us, but this is just to share the fox food unlike the multi-coloured very skilled hunter, who waits and watches all and if it moves then he is very good at capturing it.

Here at last is a picture of one of the badger holes in the wire mesh of the end fence, I have tried to photograph these before , but against the snowy background it has been more successful. I believe the badger must have made the holes with his teeth and marvel at how strong they must be. The enterprising foxes soon found these holes and now use them as extra entry and exit ports to and from the garden. The hole is still not easy to see, but it is to the right of the fence and at the bottom.