Archive for May, 2019

Last Centennial Thicket Visit

Posted in Uncategorized on May 5, 2019 by Jordan Spindel

Date: May 3, 2019

Time: 8:40-9:30 am

Weather: Cloudy, high 40s

Birds seen: Wood Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, Black-Capped Chickadee, Northern Cardinal.

Birds seen elsewhere: Ovenbird (heard), Blue-Headed Vireo, Downy Woodpecker, House Wren (heard), House Finch (heard), American Goldfinch, White-Throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Tufted Titmouse.

Today, I made my last visit to the Centennial Thicket. Recently, the ground has started to become carpeted in greenery. Spring truly is coming back, and it’s a shame that I’ll have to leave right when it is in full swing.

Meanwhile, I’m seeing some new birds coming through as well, highlighted by my first Wood Thrush of the season. This bird is one of the first long-distance migrants to arrive, and we’ll certainly see more in the coming days and weeks. Other migrants around include House Wren, Blue-Headed Vireo, and Ovenbird.

Lately, I’ve looked into the the ways nature and culture intertwine in this place. Many people use Centennial Woods as a sort of retreat, immersing themselves in the grasp of nature. Unlike the bustling campus of UVM, there is little noise other than birdsong, and it’s quite fun to hike the many trails, and check out spots like Centennial Thicket, since there’s something new around every corner. This is especially true with RSENR students, who not only go for a retreat, but also for fun, and checking out all of the plants and animals is a very enjoyable experience. I feel like I fall into this latter category. Every time I head to the Centennial Thicket, I’m excited as to what I might find, what new birds have arrived or what new plants are growing. I feel like that means in some respects, I’m a part of this place to, a naturally curious observer who enjoys documenting environmental changes over time.

Goodbye Centennial Woods!

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