Mystery tracks

kotsyfi · #1 (**permalink**) 18-10-2010, 10:41 PM

Just for fun: Who could have left those tracks?

Farplace · #2 (**permalink**) 18-10-2010, 10:47 PM

Hard to tell the size of the tracks from the pic, but I would guess pheasant / partridge / or some other "game" bird - unless its a chicken.

RKB · #3 (**permalink**) 18-10-2010, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farplace

Hard to tell the size of the tracks from the pic, but I would guess pheasant / partridge / or some other "game" bird - unless its a chicken.

Pheasant/Partridge show a distinct hindclaw in tracks, so it's isn't one of those. The shape of the toes and the way the feet point 'in' looks like a duck/goose, and I think you can see a trace of webbing next to one toe. The mud maybe wasn't wet enough to leave a proper imprint of the web. I'll guess mallard, though it's hard to see the size.

kotsyfi · #4 (**permalink**) 18-10-2010, 11:31 PM

Ah, yes, sorry about the size: If I remember correctly (didn't think to actually measure them) they were more or less the size of a human hand.

Another clue I forgot to mention, it was on the bank of the river.

thebeard · #5 (**permalink**) 19-10-2010, 09:21 AM

a goose of some sort i'd say

RKB · #6 (**permalink**) 19-10-2010, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebeard

a goose of some sort i'd say

Mute Swan! It's the only possibility (unless you've had a Whooper through).

rossy · #7 (**permalink**) 19-10-2010, 11:15 AM

tempted to go swan, but canadian geese for me, rossy.

actionfinch · #8 (**permalink**) 19-10-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rossy

tempted to go swan, but canadian geese for me, rossy.

would be my guess

RKB · #9 (**permalink**) 19-10-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rossy

tempted to go swan, but canadian geese for me, rossy.

Size of a human hand, though? Assuming we're talking about a bloke's hand then it has to be a Swan. A goose wouldn't be bigger than a little girl's hand!