I'm near a nature preserve and on the water and have seen foxes on the shoreline when out boating. But, we're on the "civilized" shore with townhouses, etc. and they'd have to swim across (albeit not undoable/too far) to get over here and for what? (we do have lots of rabbits and nesting ducks, Canada geese, etc. including in our yards) But then, that he'd want to/be able to climb onto my balcony LOL and then, I have a special, neat lock on the door so it can be locked "open" but it's only 1-2 inches! Not like he could squeeze through. I just assume it was a fox, it was the middle of the night, what do you want from me :-) My husband and I go camping a lot and he saw a fox once camping and I just couldn't think what else the "howl" could be; definately was a mammal rather than bird or something. But it spooked me and I knew if I didn't close the door completely and lock it and put down the blinds all the way, I'd keep watching the "crack" and waiting for a snout to be snuffling and for a "musky" odor, all night :-) I was even afraid to go downstairs, you know how they stand on their hind legs and try all the doors to get in, LOL. Maybe you can see why I never watch "horror" shows or mysteries?