As snow settles across the fields, forests, and wetlands, it becomes a clean slate—ready to record the movements of the animals who share our landscape.
Track and sign is the practice of observing the clues animals leave behind: footprints, gait patterns, scat, feathers, resting beds, and even subtle disturbances in snow or leaf litter. These signs reveal who passed by, when, and what they were doing. Learning to read animal track and sign is one of the most engaging ways to deepen our connection to the natural world.
Understanding wildlife activity is also a tool for conservation. Track and sign observations help paint a clearer picture of habitat use, species presence, and seasonal movement patterns. Those who learn these skills begin to see the landscape with new eyes, catching the small but important signs that our ecosystems are changing and that conservation action may be needed.
Whether you’re curious about which animals pass through your backyard or you’re looking to expand your naturalist skills, animal track and sign is an accessible and rewarding way to experience the Newfound Watershed.
To learn more about wildlife track and sign visit: New England Wildlife Tracking.