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Staying motivated to keep walking throughout winter

“I love nature and wildlife, so I like that during winter it can be slightly easier to spot birds and animals.”

A snow covered valley of rolling hills and woodland.

Laura, our Walking Network Manager, reveals why she loves walking in the winter time…

The trees have dropped their leaves, and wildlife are out looking for food in shorter daylight hours. It’s also a great time of year to spot winter migrants – fieldfares, redwings and skeins of geese. I like the winter light, and the sounds of crunching through snow.

I’m fond of any winter walk in the Pentland Hills, which are on the doorstep for those of us in the Lothians. They often have snow on them this time of year. I’ve had great wildlife encounters there; peregrine falcons, hares, deer, ravens, trying to work out if tracks are dog footprints or something more exciting. Once I was lucky enough to see a stoat in its pure white winter ermine coat, running through the trees.

“You don’t need to go deep into the hills for winter wildlife encounters on a walk. Just get outside, walk around and keep your eyes open and you’re bound to see something new.”

In Edinburgh City, I have come across Bohemian Waxwings (winter visitors from Scandinavia) outside the Scotmid in Balgreen, and a group of badgers crossing the road in Granton – both busy urban locations.