United States

FREE magazine of travel adventures

Send this Page to a Friend

U.S. GuideTo Unique Wildlife Migrations

By Mary Burnette

When people think of migrations, most visualize flocks of birds heading south for the winter. In fact, September 25 is International Migratory Bird Day. However, according to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), each year a wide range of much lesser known migrations takes place. From manatees and monarchs to leopard frogs and ladybugs, here is NWF’s guide to experiencing some of the most dramatic and unusual wildlife migrations in the country. So if you’re looking for a way to get up close and personal with nature on your next outing check these out.

Horseshoe Crabs

These armored arthropods rarely make an appearance on shore, but when they do it is quite a sight to see. During the two full moons and two new moons in May and June, thousands of horseshoe crabs emerge from the water and march on the beaches of Delaware Bay (is this in New Jersey?) to lay and fertilize their eggs. The scene is best viewed at nighttime from an elevated spot. Be sure to bring along your binoculars so you can enjoy the action without disturbing the egg-laying and fertilizing process.

Ladybugs

After spending the spring months feeding on aphids in the arid valleys of the Southwest, these good luck beetles retreat to the mountains where they will spend the winter. Starting in early May, millions of ladybugs make their ascent, pig out on whatever food they can find, and then hibernate. In some areas, blankets of sleeping ladybugs produce enough body heat to melt snow. Southeastern Arizona and California’s High Sierras are two great places to take a hike and see the slumbering beetles.

Salmon

Early fall is the perfect time to take a trip to Washington to view a truly unique and spectacular event – salmon spawning. Pacific salmon arrive in late spring and summer from Puget Sound and pass through Seattle’s Hiram M. Chittenden Locks to get to Lake Washington and the rivers where they were born. After making the upstream struggle to freshwater, sockeye, chinook and coho salmon turn bright red, spawn and then die. A major sockeye run is expected in late October and early November this year.

Tarantulas

While these hairy spiders spend most of their lives underground, they periodically come out en masse to look for mates. Not so much a migration as a large search party, groups of male tarantulas will leave their underground homes in search of females. The best place to witness their migration is in the arid Southwest, such as north Texas, in late May and early June.

Northern Leopard Frogs

The spring and fall migrations of the northern leopard frog can be both wonderful and tragic. As they travel and back forth between the ponds where they live and the shallow marshes where they breed, these frogs often must cross roads. Needless to say, this can create a dangerous situation for the frogs and drivers alike.Common throughout the northern United States, these bright green spotted frogs have a much better chance of completing their migration in Minnesota, where naturalists transport them across the roads that lay in their path.

Manatees

Their affinity for warm water keeps these gentle giants on the move throughout the summer and winter months along Florida’s coast. During the summer, manatees migrate as far west as Texas and as far north as the Carolinas to find suitable waters. As it gets colder, hundreds of wild manatees head back to Florida to spend the winter. Boating and snorkeling trips can take you up close and personal to these endangered sea creatures, just be sure not to disturb these slow-moving mammals.

Pronghorn

The fastest land mammal in the western hemisphere, pronghorn make one of the longest land mammal migrations in the lower 48 states. Their semi-annual journey takes place in Wyoming’s Green River Basin as they travel between high mountain meadows in the summer, and lower, less snowy elevations in winter. The best place to see them is at bottle necks along the route that force thousands of pronghorn into large clusters. Trapper’s Point outside of Pinedale, Wyoming is a popular crossing for pronghorn in early November and then again in late April.

Gray Whales

While most whale-watching requires a boat ride out to sea, the gray whale migration along the Oregon coast is easy to spot from land. In late December and early January the whales swim from their northern summer feeding grounds to warmer waters off Baja California where they calve. In late March, the whales take the same route back north. Traveling in small groups or alone, their enormous size and unmistakable spouting make gray whales easy to see and fun to watch.

Monarch Butterflies

If you want to be amazed by nature, plan a trip to watch a monarch butterfly migration. Monarchs are the only butterflies that annually migrate both north and south as birds do, on a regular basis. Each year monarchs travel thousands of miles from eastern and central United States into central Mexico. You can also catch these easily recognized butterflies during the winter along the California coast at over 300 roosting sites from Mendocino County to the Mexican border.

Spotted Salamanders

These yellow spotted amphibians are plagued by shyness, so their migration may be the only chance you have of seeing them. On the first warm, rainy night of spring, entire populations of these slimy salamanders will travel as far as a mile to their breeding ponds. In areas throughout New England, thousands of these slimy creatures will converge in a single pond. Bring a flashlight, sit back, stay quiet and enjoy the action before they head back to their underground hideaways.

Protecting wildlife through education and action since 1936, the National Wildlife Federation is America's conservation organization creating solutions that balance the needs of people and wildlife now and for future generations.

For more information Click here

Real Travel Adventures Web Magazine

Thanks for visiting us!

Add to Bookmarks

Click Here to Earn Money By Surfing

___________________

Home Previous Page

___________________

International a Magazine Kids On The Go Home Article List Arts&Crafts BackRoads CampVentures Cruises Dine&Sleep FamilyTrips FavoriteFinds KidsOnTheGo Nature'sBest NearYou OurWorld SkiTrips Spas/Retreats SpecialPeople TravelHumor TravelNews Unbelievable WeddingTrips Books&Audio ContactUs Archives Archives2003 Travel Adventures Stories & Pix Free Monthly Subscriptions	Kids' Travel Adventures U.S. GuideTo Unique Wildlife Migrations	Real Travel Adventures International Magazine Home Index To KIDS ON THE GO U.S. GuideTo Unique Wildlife Migrations FAMILY FITNESS FUN Newport's National Historic Landmark District Lost Colony Play in Outer Banks, NC How To Survive Theme Parks Can A Leopard Really Change Its Spots?
	FREE magazine of travel adventures Send this Page to a Friend Peace for Everyone U.S. GuideTo Unique Wildlife Migrations By Mary Burnette When people think of migrations, most visualize flocks of birds heading south for the winter. In fact, September 25 is International Migratory Bird Day. However, according to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), each year a wide range of much lesser known migrations takes place. From manatees and monarchs to leopard frogs and ladybugs, here is NWF’s guide to experiencing some of the most dramatic and unusual wildlife migrations in the country. So if you’re looking for a way to get up close and personal with nature on your next outing check these out. Horseshoe Crabs These armored arthropods rarely make an appearance on shore, but when they do it is quite a sight to see. During the two full moons and two new moons in May and June, thousands of horseshoe crabs emerge from the water and march on the beaches of Delaware Bay (is this in New Jersey?) to lay and fertilize their eggs. The scene is best viewed at nighttime from an elevated spot. Be sure to bring along your binoculars so you can enjoy the action without disturbing the egg-laying and fertilizing process. Ladybugs After spending the spring months feeding on aphids in the arid valleys of the Southwest, these good luck beetles retreat to the mountains where they will spend the winter. Starting in early May, millions of ladybugs make their ascent, pig out on whatever food they can find, and then hibernate. In some areas, blankets of sleeping ladybugs produce enough body heat to melt snow. Southeastern Arizona and California’s High Sierras are two great places to take a hike and see the slumbering beetles. Salmon Early fall is the perfect time to take a trip to Washington to view a truly unique and spectacular event – salmon spawning. Pacific salmon arrive in late spring and summer from Puget Sound and pass through Seattle’s Hiram M. Chittenden Locks to get to Lake Washington and the rivers where they were born. After making the upstream struggle to freshwater, sockeye, chinook and coho salmon turn bright red, spawn and then die. A major sockeye run is expected in late October and early November this year. Tarantulas While these hairy spiders spend most of their lives underground, they periodically come out en masse to look for mates. Not so much a migration as a large search party, groups of male tarantulas will leave their underground homes in search of females. The best place to witness their migration is in the arid Southwest, such as north Texas, in late May and early June. Northern Leopard Frogs The spring and fall migrations of the northern leopard frog can be both wonderful and tragic. As they travel and back forth between the ponds where they live and the shallow marshes where they breed, these frogs often must cross roads. Needless to say, this can create a dangerous situation for the frogs and drivers alike.Common throughout the northern United States, these bright green spotted frogs have a much better chance of completing their migration in Minnesota, where naturalists transport them across the roads that lay in their path. Manatees Their affinity for warm water keeps these gentle giants on the move throughout the summer and winter months along Florida’s coast. During the summer, manatees migrate as far west as Texas and as far north as the Carolinas to find suitable waters. As it gets colder, hundreds of wild manatees head back to Florida to spend the winter. Boating and snorkeling trips can take you up close and personal to these endangered sea creatures, just be sure not to disturb these slow-moving mammals. Pronghorn The fastest land mammal in the western hemisphere, pronghorn make one of the longest land mammal migrations in the lower 48 states. Their semi-annual journey takes place in Wyoming’s Green River Basin as they travel between high mountain meadows in the summer, and lower, less snowy elevations in winter. The best place to see them is at bottle necks along the route that force thousands of pronghorn into large clusters. Trapper’s Point outside of Pinedale, Wyoming is a popular crossing for pronghorn in early November and then again in late April. Gray Whales While most whale-watching requires a boat ride out to sea, the gray whale migration along the Oregon coast is easy to spot from land. In late December and early January the whales swim from their northern summer feeding grounds to warmer waters off Baja California where they calve. In late March, the whales take the same route back north. Traveling in small groups or alone, their enormous size and unmistakable spouting make gray whales easy to see and fun to watch. Monarch Butterflies If you want to be amazed by nature, plan a trip to watch a monarch butterfly migration. Monarchs are the only butterflies that annually migrate both north and south as birds do, on a regular basis. Each year monarchs travel thousands of miles from eastern and central United States into central Mexico. You can also catch these easily recognized butterflies during the winter along the California coast at over 300 roosting sites from Mendocino County to the Mexican border. Spotted Salamanders These yellow spotted amphibians are plagued by shyness, so their migration may be the only chance you have of seeing them. On the first warm, rainy night of spring, entire populations of these slimy salamanders will travel as far as a mile to their breeding ponds. In areas throughout New England, thousands of these slimy creatures will converge in a single pond. Bring a flashlight, sit back, stay quiet and enjoy the action before they head back to their underground hideaways. Protecting wildlife through education and action since 1936, the National Wildlife Federation is America's conservation organization creating solutions that balance the needs of people and wildlife now and for future generations. For more information Click here Real Travel Adventures Web Magazine Thanks for visiting us! Add to Bookmarks Click Here to Earn Money By Surfing ___________________ Home Previous Page ___________________ © 2004 Bonita Productions Inc.