It’s fairly easy to spot wildlife in Maine. From moose to birds to everything in between, if you love wildlife this is a great place to be. In fact, most of the time it takes minimal effort to spot something truly special. But, one animal is a bit harder to see. Hummingbirds feel like a special treat and that’s why we look forward to the spring and fall migrations when spotting them is so much easier. And we’re smack in the middle of their fall migration!
If you loved spotting hummingbirds during the spring migration north you’ll love that there’s a second chance to enjoy these beautiful birds! Starting in late August and going through most of September tens of thousands of hummingbirds will be flying south back towards Mexico and Central America for the winter.
rick_al / Flickr
In February, hummingbirds head north for their U.S. breeding grounds. Then they avoid the cold temps of winter by heading to warmer, more humid climates in the fall. Here’s where they’ve been seen so far.
journeynorth.org
How do they know when to make the trip? Science tells us they have an internal calendar that tells them exactly when they need to leave. Experts believe that this clock kicks in when days become shorter, darkness sets in earlier, and flowers and nectar begin to dwindle.
Susan Young / Flickr
While tens of thousands of hummingbirds make this journey it can still be hard to spot them. These tiny animals flap their wings between 15 and 80 times a second and can travel up to 23 miles each day of their journey.
ksblack99 / Flickr
It’s no wonder their little hearts need to beat up to 1,260 times a minute!
ekilby / Flickr
If you want to increase your chances of seeing them be sure to put out hummingbird food, which is just a mixture of sugar and water. This provides food and energy for them along the way. It’s best to put this near a window so you can see them when they visit.
cuatrok77 / Flickr
There are a variety of different types of hummingbirds, but the most commonly spotted is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. You’ll know the males by their ruby-red throat area, a white collar, an emerald green back and a forked tail.
Norvig / Wikimedia Commons
The female has a green back with tail feathers that have white bands and black and grey-green.
k.draper / Flickr If you’ve already begun seeing the hummingbirds, let us know! We’d love to hear where they’re already making an appearance.
You can learn more about hummingbird migration patterns by checking out Hummingbird Central. And you can track the migration by day (and even report your own sightings) by clicking here.
rick_al / Flickr
journeynorth.org
Susan Young / Flickr
ksblack99 / Flickr
ekilby / Flickr
cuatrok77 / Flickr
Norvig / Wikimedia Commons
k.draper / Flickr
If you’ve already begun seeing the hummingbirds, let us know! We’d love to hear where they’re already making an appearance.
There’s another animal that’s been seen a lot in Maine these days! More and more sharks are being spotted around Maine and here’s what you should know.
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