Once again I have braved the wilds of the Ipswich/Rowley woods to bring you, my not so faithful or numerous readers, tales of creatures both great and small and the glorious habitat in which they live. On this trip I relearned some valuable lessons, such as just because water looks frozen solid does not mean that is. Also, while snowshoes are great for the snow, they make for a poor choice of foot wear when crossing fallen tree bridges, I only just managed to avoid falling several feet into some very cold water. 
I made my rounds yesterday between 16:30-18:00. I was hoping that by going out later in the day I may have a better chance at seeing or hearing some wildlife. With the recent temperature fluctuations the terrain was pretty rough and inconsistent. Animal tracks were every where but it was hard to make them out. I tried taking a some pictures of them but as you can see they came out crap due to the light. Now if this was fresh snow it would be a little easier to figure what type of tracks these are. But as of right now it is either a skunk, raccoon, or the awesome possum (North Americas only marciupial). Now I was able to find out that skunks do go through a semi dormant period in the winter, finding shelter in dens for warmth. Interestingly enough female skunks have been known to huddle in groups of up to 12 in the same den while males usually den alone. So it may be that these tracks (and they where everywhere) are more likely to be raccoon or opossum. I am leaning toward a raccoon because opossums have a distinct opposable thumb on their hind legs. But I will have to go out again and really study the prints now that I know what I am looking for. I was also able to find what is either an Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) or a Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) tracks. From distribution maps both are found around here.
Now from the narrowness of the front tracks, which are actually their hind legs, it looks like it is the cottontail.
As for my fisher cat pal, I was able to find several tracks but the pictures came out really bad so I will try and find some better ones after the snow fall that we may get in the next couple of days. Also, my quest to discover the owl that I heard continues but I believe my search is narrowing...
You have at least one faithful reader. Nice tracking job in some challenging conditions. Snowmelt tends to erode the borders of the tracks making them difficult to discern, as you know. For the suspect rabbit tracks, look into what features can help you differentiate gray squirrel from rabbit. Let us know if you decide to stick with your original i.d.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures of the tracks are awesome. The only tracks I've been able to find have been dog tracks. That is also so true about the ice being deceiving, I'm constantly trying to tell my kids this when all they want to do is ice skate on the pond. I will also be one of your faithful readers , now you have 2!
ReplyDeleteYour observations helped me, because I have not seen any animals during my own observations, but haven't thought to look for animal tracks! I now have something else to look for in my own observations. I'm not exactly sure what tracks those are, but don't forget about rabbits in your search for what made the tracks, because I know that they are out and about during the winter.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is awesome, I went in knowing more than when I started which is awesome. I hope you find that owl of yours, and don't fall in that water, been there, done that, its Ouchville. Did you see any deer? I always see deer tracks up in New Hampshire, but I also live in a much more rural place than Ipswich.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to next week!!