October 11, 2026 @ 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
£65.00
Step into the woods and discover the ancient skill of tracking, a craft that transforms the way you see the world and deepens your connection to the wildlife living all around you. This hands-on introductory course invites you to explore the subtle signs, clues and stories left behind by the creatures who share our woodland.
Under the expert guidance of guest tutor Pete Morton ofRed Oaks Bushcraft, you’ll learn how to recognise and interpret footprints, gait patterns and the many other traces animals leave in their wake. From paw prints to feeding sign, hair fibres and scat, you’ll build a foundation in understanding who has passed by, when, and what they were doing.
As you work through the landscape, you’ll develop your awareness and sharpen your senses, learning to use sight, sound and even smell to tune into your environment. You’ll also practise methods of recording track and sign through sketching, photography and plaster casting, giving you the tools to continue your tracking journey long after the course ends.
This full-day experience takes place in the beautiful mixed woodlands and wetlands of Park In The Past’s 120 acres of wild space, a site home to badger, fox, otter, squirrel, beaver and a wide range of birds.
- Learn to identify paw prints & interpret gait patterns
- Build awareness techniques to heighten your sensory engagement
- Explore scat, feeding sign, rubbing points, hair fibres & other clues
- Learn to recognise distinctive beaver sign, including gnaw marks & slides
- Examine an extensive reference collection of skulls, feathers & cast prints
- Discover key bird signs such as tracks, pellets, feathers & feeding traces
- Practise recording skills: sketching, photography & plaster casting
- Discover how trackers use track traps and trail cameras to gather evidence
Enjoy a day of quiet focus, woodland wandering and wildlife discovery. Leave with a deeper understanding of the animals who move through our woodland, and a new way of reading the landscape.
Who This Course Is Aimed At
- Anyone curious about wildlife, ecology and the hidden stories of nature
- Walkers, nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts
- Forest school leaders and educators looking to expand their skillset
- Bushcraft practitioners keen to deepen their naturalist knowledge
Your Tutor: Pete Morton
“In 2006 I quit my IT job and set off in a new direction, to establish Red Oaks Bushcraft with my wife Nichola, based in the Peak District. I have been involved in the outdoors since becoming a guide at the age of 5 (its a long story, I will tell you about it when we meet) and working my way through the Peak Park Ranger Service and Mountain Rescue.
I love my office window now. Bushcraft and wilderness skills are my passion and combining them with a canoe trip makes it even better!
It’s not just about learning skills, it’s about clearing your head and maybe taking a different approach. Far too often we are forced to put our heads down and get the job done. Sometimes you need to stop and take stock. The woodland environment is the perfect place to do this. If you can do this, learn a new skill or two and have fun you will notice the benefits!”
Skills you will learn
Over the course of the programme you will learn a range of skills, including…
Your Day in the Woods
Your day begins with simple awareness practices, helping you slow down, sharpen your senses and attune to the woodland around you. With your perception opened, you’ll start to notice subtle disturbances in leaf litter, faint trails through grass and the small but meaningful details that reveal animal presence.
As you explore the site, Pete will guide you through comparing prints from different species, showing how the shape and structure of an animal’s foot is adapted to its lifestyle. With known badger, fox and otter activity on site, there is a strong chance of encountering fresh sign to examine and interpret.
You’ll also be introduced to the unmistakable sign of beavers, including the characteristically gnawed tree stumps along the water’s edge. Bird sign will also be explored, including feathers, feeding traces, tracks, droppings and pellets, subtle clues that help reveal the presence and behaviour of the many species that move through the woodland canopy and glades.
Throughout the day you’ll encounter a variety of animal sign: scat, hair caught on branches, feeding traces, scent marking, trails and more. If nature chooses not to offer every example, Pete brings a rich reference collection including feathers, skulls, cast prints and scat samples, ensuring key features can be studied up close.
Later, you’ll practise recording your finds using photography, sketching and plaster casting. These skills not only help you build confidence but create a personal record you can refer back to as you continue tracking on your own.
By the end of your woodland immersion, you’ll walk away with heightened awareness, a new depth of understanding of your surroundings and the thrilling realisation that the landscape is alive with stories waiting to be read.
Book now
This course costs £65 per person and is aimed at adult learners aged 16 years and over. You can read our Event Terms & Conditions here.
