With most of our wildlife in steep decline it refreshing to know that at least butterflies enjoyed their best summer for many years.

September was one of the warmest on record which allowed small white butterflies to remain on the wing even into October which is quite unusual and a delight to see. The final summer brood will die out now, leaving chrysalids over winter to emerge next April. Meanwhile, brimstone butterflies are the first species to enter their winter refuges under bramble leaves or among clumps of ivy and will be the first to wake on a warm sunny morning in February.

Our delayed and prolonged autumn is so much more colourful this year, due to a topsy-turvy summer. As autumn enters its stride, so too do foxes lengthen theirs and their so far leisurely foxtrots quicken in pace as they scan the locality for potential partners. So, any night now we will begin to hear the wow-wow-wow barking of dog foxes and the answering blood-curdling calls of vixens, both calls travelling further on frosty nights. Once a vixen is found, the dog shadows her until she is receptive which only lasts for a day or so and the dog will then have to act quickly.

Foxes are very resourceful animals and have spread right across the northern hemisphere, even as far as the Arctic circle where they have white fur. It is only since the end of the Second World War that they have moved into towns. The lure of fast food outlets attracted them and they are now widespread throughout Britain.

Before large unwieldy rubbish bins were introduced by local authorities, foxes were often accused of ripping open food sacks and scattering the contents. I solved the problem by pouring disinfectant on top of the sacks and now the bins which has deterred them. However, often cats were the culprits and even squirrels tried to gnaw into the plastic lids.

Opinion is divided about foxes. We either love them or loathe them — but they are an essential part of the eco-system and target rats and mice, although on wet nights earthworms form a major part of their diet. I once saw a fox leap up at — but fail to catch — a flying stag beetle!

Foxes are now resplendent in fresh fur coats following their summer moult, which leads people to think they have mange with their tails and patchy fur. But that is a normal summer process.

Cubs are born in early spring and are confined below ground for a few weeks until mature enough to venture outside. Both sexes feed the cubs and sometimes unmated ‘aunties’ from last year’s litter will assist with feeding duties.