Quite apart from the beauty in the trees and landscape from the snowfall this last week, it also brings a real opportunity for those interested in wildlife. After each layer of snow, a new and fascinating path of tiny footprints are pressed into the pristine surface, and I can see where all the mice, hares, voles, birds, stoats and rabbits have been pat-pattering throughout the night and early morning.
Animal footprints in the snow
Animal footprints, digging and burrowing in the snow
Little winding trackways, a gap and then evidence of a leap landing, burrowing and tunnels under the snow, scurries and scufflings of a chase and catch, nibblings, droppings and exit and entry places all clearly defined. All the marks and moves of the wildlife in and around my workshop on full show.
Animal Tracks and Signs book - really helpful tracking companion
Some I haven't managed to identify, but I know where they went and how they came back to the sheds. The Oxford Natural History - Animal Tracks and Signs (pocket guide) is an invaluable companion and helped me a lot in recognising marks and patterns.
Animal Tracks and Signs book - I'm just looking up shrews
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