It’s not hard to spot wildlife in New Hampshire. From moose to birds to everything in between, if you love wildlife the Granite State 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 from south to north get ready for your second chance to enjoy these beautiful birds! From late August through September tens of thousands of hummingbirds will be flying south back towards Mexico and Central America for the winter.
rick_al / Flickr
Hummingbirds avoid the cold of winter by heading for warmer, more humid climates. In February, they head north for their U.S. breeding grounds. Here’s where they’ve been seen so far.
journeynorth.org
How do they know when it’s time to pack up and go? Scientists believe they have an internal clock that tells them exactly when it’s safe to head south. Some believe that this clock is kicked in when days become shorter, darkness sets in earlier and flowers and nectar begin to dwindle.
ekilby / Flickr
But despite the number of birds that make this journey it can 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 hearts beat about 1,260 times a minute.
cuatrok77 / Flickr
If you want to increase your chances of seeing them be sure to put out a mixture of fresh sugar 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.
k.draper / 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. The female has a green back with tail feathers that have white bands and black and grey-green.
Norvig / Wikimedia Commons 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
ekilby / Flickr
ksblack99 / Flickr
cuatrok77 / Flickr
k.draper / Flickr
Norvig / Wikimedia Commons
If you’ve already begun seeing the hummingbirds, let us know! We’d love to hear where they’re already making an appearance.
Now that we’re talking about fall are you looking to spend some more time outside before the winter arrives? We’ve got just the thing! Here are 7 campgrounds in New Hampshire that are picture perfect for camper and RV trips.
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