While some animals cozily burrow into their homes for hibernation season, there are still many native animals actively out and about throughout Lake Metroparks

By Mimi Vanderhaven

Though winter signals a slowing down and long winter’s nap for many of us, there’s a fascinating world of wildlife to immerse yourself in, whether looking out your window, exploring your backyard or hiking through the fields, woods, lakes and valleys of Lake Metroparks.

Mimi caught up with Wildlife Education Manager Marilyn Levand for some inside information on noticing native wildlife that stays active all year long.

“Simply taking a walk in the woods or open fields can give you an interesting glimpse into the winter lives of animals, who now are foraging for food,” she says.

Snow on the ground actually provides the perfect landscape to track animals and investigate their patterns.

“Tracks can help you identify not only the type of animal that passed by, but also whether it was just casually walking or actively running,” she says. “The best way to get familiar with animal tracks is to get a tracking guide. Depending on your commitment, these guides can be simple or very detailed. I like to bring along Sibley’s Guide or the Peterson Field Guides. They’re helpful in determining the kind of animal you are tracking.”

Currently in Lake County, she says you’ll find lots of squirrel activity, as they are searching for acorns, nuts and seeds to bury so they can dig them up later as a food source.

“Winter woodpeckers are also out and about trying to peck at trees to get insects that have burrowed themselves in,” she says. “And you may see great blue herons near a river or stream, as they like to eat trout and steelhead fish that are still abundant in open waters. Certain patterns in the snow can act as clues and tell a tale—for instance, you may see the impression of a feather that was created when a large predator bird, like a hawk, swooped in for a kill.”

Good luck on becoming a winter wildlife detective!

In addition to protecting watersheds and open space, Lake Metroparks annually provides more than 4 million visitors with countless recreational and educational experiences at diverse facilities. For more information, visit LakeMetroparks.com.