Connect with Nature: Take a Winter Wildlife Walk

Johnston Canyon Nature Walk
Photo by Sangudo via Flickr

Gifts have been unwrapped. Holiday meals have been eaten. The spirit of the season has been shared with friends and family. What better way to relax after the festivities and reconnect with nature than with a winter wildlife walk?

You don't have to go far at this time of year to notice the beauty of the natural world. It can be as simple as walking through familiar areas and noticing how different they are in the winter. Wander along a favourite route and see if you can identify the trees without their leaves. Look for animal tracks in the snow, matching the prints with the creature that made them. And, of course, indulge in some winter birdwatching, noticing how active nature is even at this time of year.

This is also a great opportunity to find a new nature walk, remembering to explore it throughout the coming year as the seasons unfold to reveal its unique details.

When you're heading out, remember to bring:

• Warm clothes and footwear - walking through a winter wonderland can get chilly, so make sure you're prepared;
• Camera - even in winter it's important to leave nature as we find it, so capture your memories with your camera;
• Binoculars - helping you to get a close-up look at some of the winter sights around you;
• Notebook and pencil - write down your observations from your walk and update your journal as the seasons change.

Enjoy your winter walk, and share your sightings with us in the comments!