Stories from Bad Kleinkirchheim

Author: Markus Patscheider

Even if it seems that winter has caused nature to retreat and the snow has muted most sounds, there’s still a lot to hear and see in the woods. It can really be exciting to walk through the snow filled forest during this time. You’ll not only see ski, sled and snow shoe tracks, but you’ll also be able to find the tracks of animals large and small. Maybe you’ll discover that a snow hare hopped by (their brown fur turns white as snow in winter – to help them hide from predators).

Only when there’s snow do we notice that lots of animals (martins, foxes, deer …) who are out looking for food have crossed our path. This realization can turn even the worst of couch potatoes into ‘trappers’ and with a little bit of practice, you can really learn to ‘read’ the snow.

Tip: Close your eyes for a few moments when you’re in the forest and listen to all the sounds. It’s amazing how many different noises you become aware of.

Those who don’t want to look for tracks alone can join the professionals of the National Park Management team. Not only can they read animal tracks, they can also tell you all about the survival strategies of the plant and animal world; strategies used to endure through the long winter.

Some animals go into semi-hibernation (squirrels), some go into real hibernation (groundhogs), and others go into a type of winter-‘rigor mortis’ (insects). In comparison, some others become really active - like the Nutcracker, for instance. He’s busy all winter looking for where he hid all his pine nuts that summer (up to 6,000 different hiding places). Obviously he’s not thrilled when we walk through his feeding area. He whistles disapprovingly as soon as he sees us. Naturally, he can’t find all of his nuts and this fact becomes his contribution to the expansion of the pine tree in the Nock Mountains.

You can look for tracks on virtually every walk you take in winter. But there’s a lot to be discovered on a tour around the upland moor St. Lorenzen and I guarantee you that you won’t get bored there. Even after you have recognized all the animal tracks, just wait until the next snow – the whole game begins again and you can start looking for new tracks.

Directions: You can get to the upland moor St. Lorenzen over the Ebene Reichenau. Turn right in the town to the direction of Gurk. A hiking trail to the upland moor (with signs) starts just below and to the left of the church.

Guided tours of the National Park Management: Explore the upland moor in winter on snow shoes!

Thursday 10 am (4 hours) Registration: National Park Management Ebene Reichenau 04275-6665.

Image and text courtesy of Markus Patscheider for the editorial team of the website www.badkleinkirchheim.at