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Fur, Feathers, Flowers and More #28

Ah - the serenity of the great outdoors. Don't look at it on TV, get out amongst it
Fur, Feathers, Flowers and More #28
Naughty Reynard prowls suburbia

One of the best looking furred creatures about our area is the handsome red fox.

Much loved in story books and by illustrators but a pest species wreaking havoc on wildlife, pets and poultry unfortunately.

Quite the dapper country gent - Beatrix Potter's Mr Todf
Quite the dapper country gent - Beatrix Potter's Mr Todd

Foxes have adapted so well to urban living that their numbers keep increasing.

Dens of fecundity.

Largely a nocturnal hunter but more frequent daytime sightings suggests increasing confidence, and perhaps increasing pressure to find a range and a feed.

Banyule Council is being pressed by citizens to do more to eliminate foxes from our suburbs.

At the Council meeting on 30 October a community member spoke to an agenda item about fox control.

So Council is coming for you, Reynard - beware. The Minutes of the 30 October Council meeting can be accessed online at

https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/About-us/Councillors-and-Council-meetings/Council-meetings/Council-meeting-agendas-and-minutes

The current annual budget for this activity is $45,000.

These red flowering bottlebrushes were already mature trees when I arrived in Eaglemont 26 years ago - rules for plantings by volunteers around rail infrastructure preclude red flowering plants lest train drivers are confused near signals.......

Plant of the week

Dianellas

There are several species of dianella in our gardens - some imported as tubestock plants, some grown from collected seeds, some from divided clumps.

They are hardy plants. The clumps of dark green narrow strappy leaves produce many flower spikes with small pale blue flowers, followed by blue/purple berries.

Insect attracting.

Bird of the week

Black Swan

These graceful, majestic birds breed out in the Warringal Wetlands where permanent water can make a carefully placed nest safe from foxes, dogs and cats.

Beast of the week

Red fox

If only they could be convinced to turn vegetarian

Did you know there is a colour of Labrador dogs called Red Fox?

An otherwise blonde Labrador but with darker rust coloured "points" and shoulders.

Looks alone just don't do it - the various agriculture, ecology and pest control agencies really have it in for foxes.