As the last crumbs of Christmas cake are being finished off and the decorations secured back in the cupboard why not take a moment or two to indulge in some winter wildlife spectacles. Here are a few ideas to get you outside and enjoying wildlife this January and February.
On a clear frosty morning, or after a fresh fall of snow, venture out early and see what animal tracks have been left behind around your neighbourhood. Fox tracks are easily mistaken for dogs but look closely for the compact pads of foxy prints. Looking for animal tracks is a great activity to do with the kids and while you’re out being wildlife detectives you might also be able to find some other signs of winter activity such as partially nibbled nuts or an open nut store which has been raided by a hungry squirrel.
Even if you can’t find any signs of foxes listen out for their haunting ‘screams’. This time of year foxes are busy finding a mate and warning off unwanted visitors but their calls can sound quite eerie in a winter night.
If you are out walking the dog in the evening, or staggering back from a late New Year party, keep your ears open for the characteristic ‘twit-twoo’ of two tawny owls sussing each other out as potential partners. While these tawny owls are out strutting their stuff life can be rather tough for their relatives the barn owls this time of the year. Barn owls feathers aren’t waterproof, a trade-off for being such silent hunters. This means they can’t hunt during wet weather and many barn owls spend much of winter huddled away trying to keep warm. However your chances of spotting barn owl during the day increases in winter when they are forced to hunt during a dry spell so keep your eyes open when you are out and about.
Bird flocks form one of great spectacles of the sky this time of year. Starlings are notorious for turning the sky black with their flocks of 1000s, swooping and turning in unison across the sky. The best time to see these flocks is early evening when they are choosing their roost for the night. Many birds take to flocking this time of year to increase their success in finding food and escaping predation.
There are great changes in the species of birds we have visiting during winter with many of our summer residents off in warmer climes and replaced by some more hardy birds from the North. Low Barns and Rainton Meadows Nature Reserves provide excellent bird watching opportunities, highlights last winter included a pair of bitterns and a flock of arctic red polls. There is always something to see at one of our bird hides or feeding stations.
So whether it is looking for animal tracks, listening for the sounds of winter wildlife or to catch a glimpse of an unusual visitor, why not get wrapped up and enjoy the wonderful wildlife we have in winter.
