BEAT Tracking Club Ventures Out at Bidwell House
BY KATHY KESSLER
My group had a productive, educational, and enjoyable time on the northerly trails at the Bidwell House. We saw plenty of deer tracks that gave us opportunities to learn about some of the ways to determine directionality and foot anatomy in deep-ish snow. Also how snow responds to feet moving through it one way or another. We studied some squirrel tracks and discussed the differences in size between red and gray squirrel, how to look at more than just tracks and the bigger picture of where the tracks lead to and from. We studied mouse tracks and how they’re formed, some with tail drag and some without, and we discussed some basic tree identification (Maple, Ash, Dogwood…).
Porcupine sign by Pat Liddle
We found some waddler tracks and debated about whether they were porcupine or skunk, at first leaning toward skunk because we didn’t see any hemlock trees, rocky areas, or excrement around. Then we found some urine, and that settled the matter: Pat identified it unequivocally as porcupine, due to the distinct hemlock odor, a dead giveaway, hemlock being the primary food of porcupines. Then, a few paces down the trail, Marie followed her expertise and pitch-perfect instincts, pursuing more of the same animal’s tracks, and found the critter himself, a young and healthy looking porcupine, about halfway up–yes–a hemlock tree
Porcupine in Tree by Pat Liddle
Under the tree there were plenty of nipped hemlock branches, track trails, urine, etc. Just what we’d expect. That was exciting! We found a few beech trees of various sizes that had been climbed by bear and passed a large climbed tree that’s been identified and marked as such by Bidwell. Nearby is at least one fairly old bear, another rare thing to see.
Long Tailed Weasel Tracks by Pat Liddle
We also learned about bounders large and small when we studied some tracks that we eventually decided were probably those of a long-tailed weasel. There were several sets of similar tracks along the trail, often in close proximity to mouse tracks, for good reason.
Thank you all for your participation and enthusiasm. We had a great time. Looking forward to getting out again this winter.
Best wishes to everyone for a safe and happy winter and holiday season.
Kathy
