Hi there! Today is an exciting day because Squeaks and I are going on a special scavenger hunt. We’re going to explore everything that makes winter unique. In some places, the weather stays the same all year, but here at the Fort, winter brings lots of changes.
During winter, we don’t get as much sunlight, and there are many cloudy days. It gets very cold, and instead of rain, we might see snow. The nights are longer, which means it gets dark early in the evening and stays dark for part of the morning. All the living things here have to adapt to these changes to survive.
To stay safe and warm during our scavenger hunt, I’m wearing special clothes like a hat and a scarf. That’s the first thing on our scavenger hunt list: “A Warm Hat.” Let’s see what else we can find!
Our first task is to find signs of winter weather, like ice. When it gets cold enough, water freezes into ice. Squeaks and I found a frozen puddle and some frost on windows. We even saw some cool icicles! Ice can take many forms in winter, and it’s fun to see them all.
Next, we’re looking for winter plants. We need to find a tree with bare branches, some dried flower stalks, and crispy brown leaves. These plants aren’t dead; they’re just dormant. Green plants have lots of water inside, and if they stayed green in the cold, the water would freeze and hurt them. So, many plants drop their leaves and seem dried up for winter.
But some plants stay green, like evergreen trees. These trees have needles and cones instead of big leaves and keep their needles all winter. They’re beautiful and a great place to look for signs of animals.
We can search for animal tracks in the snow or chew marks from deer and rabbits on twigs. We might see special birds that aren’t here in warmer seasons, like snow buntings or rough-legged hawks. Birds that stay all year, like chickadees, might be easier to spot.
Winter is too cold for most bugs, but some hibernate or stay in egg sacs to keep warm. We need to find some spider egg sacs to finish our scavenger hunt.
Even though it’s colder and quieter outside, there’s still so much to explore in winter. You can do a winter scavenger hunt, too! You can use the one Squeaks and I made or create your own. Walk around your neighborhood with a grown-up and mark down special wintery things to find. Share your scavenger hunt with a friend and see how many they can find.
Squeaks and I are going to finish our scavenger hunt. Are you ready to explore winter? Good luck, and have fun!
Winter Weather Experiment: Create your own ice! Fill a small container with water and place it outside overnight if it’s cold enough, or in your freezer. Check it in the morning to see how the water has turned into ice. Talk about why this happens and how it relates to the winter weather you learned about.
Evergreen Exploration: Go on a walk with a grown-up and find an evergreen tree. Look closely at its needles and cones. Collect a few fallen needles and cones to bring home. Draw or write about how these trees are different from the trees with bare branches you see in winter.
Animal Track Detective: After a fresh snowfall, go outside and look for animal tracks in the snow. Try to guess which animal made the tracks. Use a notebook to draw the tracks you find and write down your guesses. Discuss with a grown-up how animals adapt to winter and why some tracks might be easier to find in the snow.
