Winter Nature:Common Mammals, Birds, Trees and Shrubs of the Maritimes.
Merritt Gibson, Soren Bondrup-Nielsen
Illustrated by Twila Robar-Decoste
2008
Gaspereau Press
ISBN 9781554470594

Winter Nature Notes was compiled for the many Maritimers who enjoy the outdoors in winter.  If you are a cross-country skier or snowshoer, a winter camper, or simply someone who enjoys walking along woodland trails and open fields, you have wonderful opportunities to observe the wild plants and animals that live all around you.   With such interests, you will plan trips to areas of special interest: a walk to watch eagles soaring in the air currents above a mountain, a ski along a river to see golden-eyes diving in the rapids, a hike to look for a deer yard, or to find a giant oak tree. 

Winter is a good time to start watching the world around you.  Many birds migrate south in autumn, but the numbers that remain are sufficient to challenge your abilities to find them.  Deciduous trees and shrubs have lost their leaves but, with practice, features of the twigs and buds may be used to identify them.  Some mammals hibernate, but many remain active and winter is one of the best times to look for them.  Mammals are secretive and difficult to find at any time of the year, but in winter their tracks record their presence.  It takes patience to identify tracks and decide what the animal was doing and where it lives.  Exploring the world around you takes you outdoors, challenges your ability to find plants and animals, and provides many hours of enjoyment.