Signs of Wildlife This Morning

Yesterday was warm and cloudy with light snow in the afternoon. Just enough fell to freshen up the snowpack; that is now about eighteen inches or so in the woods. This morning on our walk the signs of all kinds of wildlife where everywhere. Mice of course, although I cannot imagine why they would come out on top of the snow and make themselves vulnerable to hawks and owls. Fox and coyotes had crossed our path in several places since the snow fell last evening. We walked through a small flock of kinglets as they checked the woods thoroughly for hiding bugs.I was surprised to see that the deer are still moving around through the woods and not yarded up to avoid the deep snow. The snow under a neighbor’s apple tree has been completlely churned up as they search for fruit left over from last fall. Turkeys are also moving about and taking advantage of the fruit left in the trees.The big news though is that I have now heard chickadees singing two mornings in a row. Spring is definitely on its way! I better spend more time on snowshoes and skis because the snow will be gone before you know it!