By Andy Avram, Interpretive Manager
By examining the size, shape and pattern we can tell it was a small mammal, likely a meadow vole. Following the tracks we see it burrowed into the snow as the tracks end in a small tunnel, about the diameter of a quarter, but resurface a couple feet away to carry on the journey. The tracks stop by some nibbled vegetation where the vole had a bite to eat, but suddenly the footprints become widely spaced as if the vole was startled into running away. It ran a short distance before the prints simply vanish. Looking next to the area where the footprints disappeared, we see what looks like brush strokes in the snow and realize our little friend was captured and carried off by a hawk or owl. Our footprint story ends here, but the bird of prey’s story continues on.
It is stories like these that make hiking in the winter so much fun, but we know that it sometimes takes a little extra motivation to leave a nice cozy home to brave the outdoors. Animal tracks, birds, trees and even interesting insects that crawl on top of the snow can be found all winter long and Lake Metroparks offers a number of opportunities to get out with a naturalist to discover these.
For general nature try a Winter Nature Walk. If you would like a more in-depth program to learn about and look for animal tracks, join us for Wildlife Tracking.
Wildlife Tracking
January 24 at Veterans Park
February 28 at Pete’s Pond Preserve
Winter Nature Walk
February 21 at Penitentiary Glen Reservation
These programs are free. To register (required), click on the link provided. Registration may also be made by phone at 440-639-7275 or in person at the Registration Department at Concord Woods between 8 and 4:30 pm.
![By Joel Trick of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://lakemetroparks.com/select-park/images/Kirtland-sWarberByJoelTrickofU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceHeadquarters.jpg "By Joel Trick of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons")
One of the most important aspects of the property is the role it plays in supporting migratory birds as the fly north and south during the spring and fall. The birds depend on places like the meadows and other habit at the Bluffs to rest and feed before continuing their migrations. This offers bird watchers an opportunity to see a wide range of birds that are not otherwise normally found in this area. Earlier this week, a senior biologist with the parks, John Pogacnik, saw a Kirtland’s warbler which is widely considered the rarest warbler in North America. “One of the amazing things about the Bluffs is not just the habitat, but the variety of the habitat on the property. This habitat is just perfect for birds like the Kirtland’s warbler, they absolutely need this kind of cover and food to survive and continue their migrations, especially at this time of year,” said Pogacnik.
The 50-foot high observation tower will be situated overlooking the
lakeshore with multiple viewing platforms along a staircase that will culminate
in a deck featuring 360-degree views. The height and location of the tower will
provide visitors with a unique view of the lake and the surrounding woods,
fields and wetlands along with the associated wide-range of wildlife –
particularly the large number of bald eagles that are regularly seen at the
park. The south shore of Lake Erie is known worldwide as an important corridor
for bird migration. As songbirds migrate north in spring and south in fall,
large concentrations of birds can be witnessed migrating around the smallest of
the Great Lakes, sticking close to the shoreline. 
