Many of us wildlife lovers learnt about wildlife in far flung places, living the experience of jungle, desert or mountains in Africa, Asia or south America with the unforgettable sound of David Attenborough’s voice narrating the exotic sights of prides of lions, mountain gorillas, tigers, elephants and panthers. So, what can our drab mostly grey cities and towns offer us?
I grew up in the Derbyshire countryside, wandering the farmland near my home alone, walking to school listening to hedgerows filled with sparrows chattering, climbing trees and picking blackberries in the summer holidays. But it was only when I moved to London that I saw a fox, then another and another. Now I take it for granted that at this time of year, the noise of foxes will wake me regularly.
It's really quite a bustling busy natural world out there, getting louder over the commuter traffic noise is the morning chorus, the disruption of a cat walking by gets all the wrens busy scoulding him, I think I counted 10 (well done mum and dad wrens!) effortlessly ‘sitting’ on the brick walls calling out their anger as this predator slinks around their territory, warning all potential prey and lowering the chance of this well fed pet gaining a victim.
Foxes moved to our towns and cities very recently, and like most of our city and town wildlife they are adaptable, omnivorous and opportunistic. They live, fight, make dens and take cat naps in the sun literally in our back gardens, parks and car parks. And they keep our rodent populations down, just as opportunistic caracals in Cape Town and wily coyotes in Chicago do.
How lucky we are to have them amongst us!