 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Weathercam wrote: |
When ski touring we're fortunate to see a fair amount of wildlife, though unlike the summer the big beasties in the air have yet to appear. |
That's surprising. The large birds resident in that area aren't migratory (at that latitude). You see an uptick in activity of opportunists like kites coming in as the snow melts to pick off voles and the like but the larger birds like eagles and vultures are resident all winter. Vultures will often "buzz" lone ski tourers. You're probably just seeing an alteration in hunting patterns.
| Weathercam wrote: |
And then the Bouquetin (Alpine Ibex) this was yesterday, and he's (could be a she) fast alseep... |
Male
| Weathercam wrote: |
| And three of them together |
also maie, part of a larger group probably, a bachelor herd most likely.
| Weathercam wrote: |
We often spot Winter Grouse, snow foxes and closer to home in the forest (don't seem to hibernate) Black Squirrels and a few other animeaux we can't identify! |
possibly rock ptarmigans if you mean grouse that are white, Lagopède alpin, perdix blanche in French.
Snow foxes - that refers to Vulpes lagopus or arctic foxes which aren't native in that area.
Black Squirrels - seems unlikely, they're not native in the area (or the continent). Squirrels also don't hibernate although they're fairly dormant. Most everyone that's walked around in an alpine forest in the winter will have seen signs of the activity with discarded cones etc. You may have seen pine martens, slightly darker.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
Young chamois near Cogne. We were not touring but Nordic skiing, when we came across this little fella.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Sat 22-04-17 8:06; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Good thread.
Moose are fairly easy to see in Jackson Hole. Just drive a few miles outside town and they are often munching near the side of the road.
A lot of Italians now go wolf trekking on the weekend. Some to the west of Turin, not far from Sestriere ski resort.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excellent photos - thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Quote: |
Moose are fairly easy to see in Jackson Hole. Just drive a few miles outside town and they are often munching near the side of the road.
|
Yeah I know and tried numerous times when there - nada - went both early morning and dusk 
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
@ise, no photos since these sightings were spontaneous on chairlifts in resort, but in Valais we saw at Christmas a small herd of female ibex very frequently, essentially because the snow cover was poor, and they had extended grazing. A herd of around eight were appearing all over; lovely to see them picking their way around rocks in the small stands of trees around Violettes and Cabane Du Bois woods. No sightings of the male which we have seen above Violettes on occasion but assume he or his sons must be around somewhere. Black squirrels very common in Crans as always. No sightings this year of the white fox which we saw at night a few times. Obvious signs of weasels, coming and going from holes, including loads of tracks which could be seen from the access chair at Chandolin - St Luc direction. We have marmot city at Col Du Pochet above Violettes, and at Zambona below Cry D'Er but they were winter snoozing still at Easter. They hurtle around in desperation for around 10-14 days after emerging from hibernation, as their stomach linings have not repaired from hibernation and whilst starving hungry, can't eat. But they were ZZZZ-ing when we were there. We helped a toad on Nationale, which had emerged from torpor, but while the sun had warmed it, it had lost energy crossing the piste and was terribly languid and exhausted. We helped it by picking it up and placing it near the lake in the trees, hoping it could find a warmer spot to recover, rather than being hit on piste.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
my experience is that most black squirrels that are pointed out to me are actually red with dark fur, that's very much the case in winter where the thicker fur looks darker. The reason I'd make a distinction between a red squirrel with dark, nearly or actually black, fur and an actual black squirrel is that the red keeps the white patch and larger ears. They also vanish in the summer although they may just vacation somewhere else.
I think by weasel you mean an ermine which is a lesser weasel. Although, from a chair lift I'd not be able to tell the difference between the tracks of an ermine or, for example, a vole.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
@ise, many thanks ISE - a number of the squirrels we see are black throughout the year in the area; we walk in the Valais all seasons and remain alert to any interesting flora and fauna. I note the point about the white patch - interesting and I will look out.
We have seen the lesser weasel, notable for having holes under rock ledges - we assumed the tracks in Vercorin were weasels rather than voles since the tracks came and went from these distinctive holes. All the voles we know in the Valais live in small 3-5cm circular holes in grassy areas, where they emerge after decimating tree roots - is that consistent with your knowledge?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
@ise, Yup, you are corrct, what you usually get is a population of normal coloured squirrels with a certain proportion of black coats amongst them. I've only ever seen one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Saw a black bear from the chair lift in Whistler... however it was in September when we were mountain biking, so not technically whilst skiing! Couldn't believe how nonchalant everyone was!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Spot the wildlife.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
Northernhills, there's a reason for their attitude
jbob, white rabbit, nice - do they taste any different ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
