Abundant Signs of Wildlife

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David Brown, naturalist and tracker, showing the group how to identify what type of squirrel ate which hickory nut.
David Brown, naturalist and tracker, showing the group how to identify what type of squirrel ate which hickory nut.

Today we focused on wildlife. David Brown, renowned naturalist and tracker spent the late morning and afternoon with many eager to learn more about the various animals that also call this area home. First David shared images of tracks and sign from a wide variety of animals. Then we trekked down to Deer Park Preserve on Barre Road and walk the loop trail looking for sign.

Three hickory nuts eaten by three different types of squirrels; grey, flying and red.
Three hickory nuts eaten by three different types of squirrels; grey, flying and red.

David helped us learn how to look for sign, then identify what species left the evidence, and we discussed what that sign means about how the animal was spending its day. Because there was no snow on the ground we didn’t get to go tracking, but we sure saw a lot of animal evidence!

Coyote scat deposited on a stone wall, left there as a sign for other animals to find.
Coyote scat deposited on a stone wall, left there as a sign for other animals to find.
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A bird’s nest that was hidden last summer in thick vegetation.

 

These are castings of animal prints made by David Brown.
These are castings of animal prints made by David Brown.