As we move into autumn, I find myself reflecting on our very wet summer. Extreme weather events in Vermont and elsewhere inflicted large costs in terms of life, livelihoods, and property. Unfortunately, these events do not appear to be what we previously called “100-year events.” We need to prepare for them to be part of the annual rhythm of our lives.

The Green Mountain Audubon board welcomed two new board members this summer, Sarah Schmidt and Liza Morse. The women replaced retiring board members Elizabeth Spinney, Larry Haugh, and Jacob Crawford, all of whom contributed greatly to GMAS, and whose service and presence will be sorely missed.

Seventeen people showed up at 7:30 a.m. on September 16, a cool and gray morning, for the monthly monitoring walk on the Green Mountain Audubon property in Huntington. GMAS board member Ali Wagner led the group, which included a mix of old and young and experienced and neophyte birders.

A location that is small and very easy and rewarding to explore is Lagoon Road in Hinesburg. It’s less than a mile west of the Route 116 (Hinesburg Road) and Charlotte Road traffic light intersection. The village of Hinesburg has the fortune of having several great birding hotspots within a couple of miles of Lagoon Road, like Geprag Community Park, Russell Family Trails, Hinesburg Village Cemetery, and Carse Wetlands.