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Track of common shrew on snow.

 

Different kinds of tracks in the general style of “meandering string in centre, print stamps at edges” can be seen on the snow and for a beginner they look quite similar. That the ”string trace” in the photo is a furrow left by a tail between the paw steps and that we have to do with small rodents such as rats, mice and common shrews and voles we can understand. But it would be nice to know more precisely – who? All the patterns look pretty and meandering.

 

When the snow is fresh, as today and maybe tomorrow, it is definitely worthwhile to bring along a measuring tape to the forest because measuring the length of a print helps – rats and mice have different sized paws. And later at home you can look up in a book who it can have been. At least roughly to start with– did a vole or rat or shrew move around here?

 

But it is even better to identify tracks on the spot if there is time. Time to follow the print track or go along with the little creature – where did it come from, what did it do? On the path burrow entrances and droppings may be found. Track books help to identify species by other signs of activity too, besides track prints.

 

To find different marks of activities one should spend some time quietly on the spot. On a group hike with a set target it can’t be done, the pressure to reach the target won’t let us stop and just dream. So to study tracks one might go wandering on ones own in the forest.

 

Some small rodents such as the field vole (Microtus agrestis) leave particularly pretty patterns on the snow, reminding of the vines of a climbing plant with little leaves.