The bite of the first wood tick and a glimpse of new red fox kits were clear signs of Spring on the Bluecircle this week.  Patches of fleshless groundhog fur and a fresh limb in the middle of the farm showed the young were being nourished by their ever-watchful mother.

Few rabbits have survived the fox’s nightly inspection of the woods and hillsides.   The groundhogs have not been spared but are not missed since their excavated mounds and burrow openings can sink an ankle or a wheel.

Threads of green are restoring color to the field but for a few more weeks the dead grass and leaves will provide scant cover for our hungry mother’s prey.