Winter wildlife in Norfolk – a guide to animal tracks and traces

As Norfolk’s countryside settles into the stillness of winter, it unveils a fascinating world of tracks, trails, and tell-tale signs left by our region’s wildlife.

Observing and identifying these traces offers a unique window into the ecology of Norfolk and the seasonal behaviour of some of its rarer, more elusive inhabitants.

Winter provides a perfect canvas – whether it’s frost-touched ground or soft mud, the season’s natural conditions allow animal tracks to be visible long after they’re made.

Identifying animal tracks – rarer species and their habits

In Norfolk, our winter wildlife is incredibly diverse, ranging from common residents to more elusive species like otters and pine martens. Here’s how to spot signs of both common and rare species.

Otter Tracks

Otters are semi-aquatic mammals with webbed feet. Their tracks are distinctive, showing five toes with claw marks and a webbing imprint. The prints are typically around 5-7 cm in length, and their tails may leave drag marks if they’ve crossed through softer mud or snow.

Where to Look
Otter tracks are often found near rivers, lakes, and marshy areas. The Norfolk Broads are a stronghold for otters, where they hunt fish and other aquatic creatures. Look for signs near water bodies, and if you’re lucky, you might also find their ‘spraint’ (droppings), which they use to mark territory and can be identified by a faint, fishy smell.

Water Vole Tracks

Water voles, a protected species in the UK, have tracks with four toes on their front feet and five on their hind feet, typically about 2-3 cm wide. They often leave tail drag marks as well. Because of their burrowing and feeding behaviours, they often create small tunnels and ‘feeding platforms’ near water edges where they munch on stems and vegetation.

Where to Look
Keep an eye on riverbanks and ditches, particularly in areas with dense reeds or vegetation. The Broads and other quiet river areas are prime habitats. Water voles are active year-round, so even in winter, evidence of their presence can be spotted.

Pine Marten Tracks

Although extremely rare in Norfolk, there have been occasional sightings of pine martens in recent years, particularly in forested areas. Their tracks show five toes with sharp claws and are relatively large compared to other carnivorous mammals (mustelids), ranging between 4-5 cm.

Where to Look
Pine martens prefer woodland habitats, particularly dense forests. If you’re exploring Thetford Forest or similar areas, you may be fortunate enough to spot their tracks along trails or fallen logs. They are agile climbers, so you may also spot scratches on tree trunks.

Barn Owl Pellets and Evidence

While barn owls do not leave typical tracks, they often leave ‘pellets’ (regurgitated bones and fur) near their nesting sites or favourite perches. Barn owls are one of Norfolk’s emblematic birds, easily recognised by their ghostly appearance as they hunt silently over fields and riverbanks.

Where to Look
Look out for old barns, trees with large branches, tall hedgerows in open countryside, or even fence posts. Pellets provide insight into their diet, revealing small bones and fur of voles, mice, and occasionally shrews.

Red Deer Tracks

Red deer, the largest land mammals in the UK, leave heart-shaped tracks that are easily distinguishable. In soft ground, their tracks are large, typically 6-9 cm in length, with cloven hooves.

Where to Look
Red deer are more commonly seen in Breckland and other wooded areas, especially in Thetford Forest. Look for tracks near water sources or in fields bordered by woodlands where they may forage for food.

Other animals commonly spotted in Norfolk’s winter landscape

Fox Tracks

Foxes have small, oval-shaped prints with four toe pads and claw marks, and their movement tends to follow a straight path as they travel in a direct line.

Where to Look
These prints are common along field edges, hedgerows, and near urban edges. Foxes in Norfolk are often spotted around dusk, so check areas where they may be foraging or crossing between habitats.

Brown Hare Tracks

Hares have large, elongated hind feet compared to their front feet, resulting in tracks with a distinct bounding pattern.

Where to Look
Brown hares are often found in open fields, particularly in Breckland and the Waveney Valley. They remain active throughout winter, so you may spot their tracks near fields and open grasslands.

Understanding the behaviour behind the tracks

Tracks alone reveal much about animal behaviour, but other subtle signs in Norfolk’s winter landscape add further depth to our understanding of local fauna.

Runways and Pathways
Look for ‘runs’ or paths formed by animals travelling repeatedly along the same route. Water voles create runways through grass, while rabbits and foxes form beaten paths in grass or snow.

Scat and Droppings
Animal scat can tell us about diet and health. Fox droppings, for instance, often contain fur and bones, while otter spraint has a distinctive fishy scent.

Tree Markings
Animals like red deer may leave ‘rub’ marks on trees by scraping their antlers, particularly during rutting season. Pine martens, if present, might leave scratches on trees as they climb in search of food or shelter.

Norfolk’s winter wildlife tracking checklist

As you venture out this winter, equip yourself with:

• Binoculars and a camera for capturing wildlife sightings.
• A field guide specific to Norfolk’s wildlife for easy identification.
• A notebook to record observations, including date, location, and behaviour notes.
• Proper footwear and warm clothing to stay comfortable in Norfolk’s winter weather.

Winter wildlife tracking offers a rare glimpse into Norfolk’s unique ecosystems, inviting us to observe and learn more about the creatures that call our countryside home. Every track is a story, each mark a moment frozen in time, bridging the quiet beauty of Norfolk’s winter with the remarkable lives of its residents.

So, bundle up and step into the frosty fields and woodlands of Norfolk – nature has left messages waiting for you to discover.