Wildlife Activity in Centennial Woods
Centennial Woods:
After returning to campus this semester, I have decided to explore the wildlife activity in Centennial Woods as opposed to Redstone Quarries. To get to Centennial Woods from the UVM campus, you can walk all the way down Carrigan Drive from the Davis Center. As you walk down the hill, you will cross East Street and pass by the police station until you see the big sign for Centennial Woods.
Differences Since Last Visit:
The last time I had visited Centennial Woods, the ground was covered in dead leaves and branches, with some small ferns and shrubs next to the trails that were still green. Now, the ground is completely covered in snow, the small brook remains unfrozen, but ice rimmed the sides of the water. The trails have been walked on a lot which makes it easier to determine where they are in the snow, but some of the footprints cover up the animal tracks.
Wildlife Activity:
During my visit to Centennial Woods, I discovered signs of wildlife activity including animal tracks and bird calls. Pictured to the left are tracks possibly left by a deer or a coyote, but it is hard to tell because there are no noticeable appendages or hoof prints. As I followed the prints down towards the brook, I noticed that there was something in the snow where the prints ended. When I got close enough i noticed it was a skeleton of some kind, maybe a deer. It was right by the bank of the brook and took me completely by surprise. I also saw a Red Tailed Hawk perched on a branch on the way to Centennial. While walking around, I did not see any animals on the trail, but when I had visited in the fall I would almost always see some type of bird or a chipmunk.
