Winter can be one of the most exciting times of the year to go outside and explore the outdoors. Taking your family on a winter nature hike on a local trail is an excellent way to connect to the natural environment in your own backyard! Search for some of the following things on your next outdoor adventure. See you if you can complete the scavenger hunt!

Some ideas for local walking trails in Massachusetts: https://www.alltrails.com/us/massachusetts/walking

Tracks

Snow and wet soil on the ground means that animals can be found! Animal tracks are a great way to tell which active winter animals have visited the area recently.

Can you find the tracks for these active winter animals?

Deer
Raccoon
Bunny
Fox
Turkey

Tips: You can tell how fast an animal was moving based off of their tracks! For example, a walking deer places its hind foot directly in the print of the front foot on the same side. When a deer runs its hind feet land in front of the forefoot prints!

Animal Homes

Many animals will find warm, hidden places to sleep in the wintertime. Rabbits, chipmunks, and mice will dig holes and build an extensive system of tunnels. Owls & squirrels will find cavities in trees while foxes and coyotes will find warmth in their dens.

American red squirrel making its winter home in a cavity of a tree!

Can you find all of these animal homes?

Rabbit warren
Chipmunk burrow
Fox den
Owl nest
Squirrel nest

Tips: Signs that an owl nest is occupied is whitewash (owl poop) around the nest or tree cavity as well as feathers and prey remains at the base of the tree.

Learn more about how animals adapt to the cold temperatures! https://www.massaudubon.org/news/latest/wicked-winter-survival-adaptation

Winter Birds

These birds will not interact with each other during the other 3 seasons of the year, however, in winter they will flock together for protection and so that it is easier for them to find food sources.

Various small birds you will find flocking together in the winter.

See if you can find and identify these flocking winter birds.

Northern Cardinal
Tufted Titmouse
Dark-Eyed Junco
Black Capped Chickadee
Nuthatch
American Goldfinch

Tips: The Black Capped Chickadee is the leader of the winter flocks because they fly ahead of the flock. These are very vocal birds so listen for their sounds! You may recognize their “chick-a-dee-dee-eee” or the whistled “fee-bee”.

Learn more about why small birds flock together in the winter! https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/birding-basics/mixed-winter-flocks/

Winter Walks