![]() The hummingbirds visiting feeders in the fall are probably migrants, not residents, and will help, not hinder, their migration. Since then, about 2 days, we’ve seen hummingbirds fly in, drink, hover, drink, change flowers (there are six on each feeder) drink, hover, and take off. For those who wonder if leaving their hummingbird feeders up late into the fall might delay the birds’ departure, fear not. Research has shown that the average amount of weight gained by hummingbirds prior to migration is sufficient to fuel a 500-mile flight – a necessity if they choose to cross the Gulf of Mexico. According to Cornell’s The Birds of North America Online, a ruby-throated hummingbird’s body weight can double in just seven to ten days. Some ornithologists feel that this is not coincidental and that the flowering of jewelweed may even influence the timing of ruby-throated hummingbird migration.Īs early as July, ruby-throated hummingbirds start accumulating fat. The overland migration of these birds occurs at the peak of flowering of spotted jewelweed, or touch-me-not, whose nectar ruby-throats are fond of. It is widely known that ruby-throated hummingbirds consume nectar and insects. The number of ruby-throated hummingbirds migrating south in the fall may be as much as twice the number that return in the spring, as it includes all the immature birds that hatched out this past summer. Some males leave as early as July, but most hummingbirds depart towards the end of August and beginning of September. Adult females are the next to head south, followed shortly by juveniles. As those who feed ruby-throated hummingbirds into the fall have probably noticed, males are the first to leave New England. If hummingbirds showed up at your home in the spring only to vanish at some point in the summer, it could mean that theyre females fulfilling their maternal. Enough birds have been sighted for us to know that, as a whole, ruby-throats fly quite low during migration – just above the trees when over land, and skimming the waves over water. ![]() Many fly across the Gulf of Mexico in order to do so, but many also follow the coast line. ![]() Due to the lack of appropriate food, these birds must find a warmer climate during the colder months. It is now known that the ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird that nests in eastern North America, and winters, for the most part, along the western Gulf coast south through Central America. Thanks to the practice of placing individually-numbered bands on the legs of birds and setting up nets in which to catch them, a great deal has been learned about what really goes on during the migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds as well as other species. One held that these tiny birds hitched a ride on the backs of other, larger birds. There were many theories regarding the phenomenon of ruby-throated hummingbirds crossing the Gulf of Mexico in order to winter in Central America. Impossible? For many years ornithologists assumed so. A little farther away, the caves of Maquoketa Caves State Park showcase some stunning geologic wonder.You are a bird weighing between 1/10th and 1/8th of an ounce (that’s 2 ½ paper clips) and you can fly up to 3,500 miles, 500 of which may be nonstop, under your own power. The driftless area was one section of the state that escaped glaciation during the last ice age, and as a result, the cliff, bluffs, and riverside landscapes are an amazing sight to see. Lots of people overlook Iowa when it comes to natural wonders. Other fun ideas for a spring day trip in Iowa include taking a ride on the Boone and Scenic Valley Railway, visiting a daily farm like Hansen’s Dairy in Hudson, Iowa (they have kangaroos!), or even taking advantage of a warm, clear night to stargaze at White Rock Conservancy. If the weather is calling you to come outside, take a hike through Effigy Mounds National Monument, or enjoy a peaceful stroll along the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. If you’re looking for a glimpse of spring to welcome in the season, head to Des Moines Botanical Garden. What are the best spring day trips in Iowa? Most of Iowa’s state parks are so much fun to explore in the spring, thanks to the beautiful wildflowers that begin to pop up and stay bright all season long. Another great waterfall hike is the one-mile trek to Malanaphy Springs, where you can dip your toes in the water and watch a beautiful cascade come tumbling across your path. Visit Waubonsie State Park to enjoy views as far as the eye can see, or climb along the trails at Pikes Peak State Park to find Bridal Veil Falls. Iowa is home to plenty of beautiful springtime hikes. What are the best hiking trails in Iowa during spring?
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