Fox cubs can look like kittens so don't get alarmed if you see a vixen moving her young – Hayley Matthews

I've always had a love of foxes. I find them elegant, clever and very beautiful.

This is a fox cub, not a kitten (Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA)

I know not everyone will share my enthusiasm but I'm hoping most would avoid doing any harm to these amazing creatures.

So that's why I want to mention something that I read during the week about how lots of people may think they're seeing foxes carrying small fluffy things that look like kittens, but they're not.

The post said how it's so important not to disturb them because what you’re probably seeing is a vixen moving her young cubs to a safer den.

The first cubs start to emerge above ground about late April. This is when they start eating solid food, playing and getting a bit of a personality.

It's a lovely sight to see if you're lucky enough to see it. The tell-tale signs that a few cubs in the area may have emerged include small droppings, buzzing flies and the odd squished up flattened plant. But don't be annoyed, it is nature after all.

And please, I beg you, if you see a fox running with a fluff ball in its mouth, don't jump to conclusions too soon. It is probably a vixen moving her cubs. Don't chase her, and certainly don't disturb her. She's just doing what mothers do best – protecting her family.

If you're a fox lover and want to help these ginger, fluffy, breastfeeding mothers, then she'd genuinely thank you for leaving out some chicken or a few boiled eggs as she needs a lot of food to feed her young and herself.

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