| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| • |
Around the middle of April, the first ruby-throated
hummingbirds will arrive in New England. They have migrated
from their winter range, which is concentrated between central
Mexico and northern Panama. Many of them cross the Gulf of
Mexico during their migration.
The males usually precede the females by about a week. Since
they arrive before the flowering of most hummingbird nectar
plants, these tiny birds take advantage of the sap from "sap
wells" drilled by the yellow-bellied sapsucker.
|
|
| |
|
|
| • |
The red maple is one of the first trees to flower in the
spring - usually by the 3rd or 4th week of April. Their red
flowers will sometimes appear earlier, depending upon the
weather. Individual trees may have all male flowers, all female
flowers, or both.
|
|
| |
|
|
| • |
Many early migrating warblers
- including the yellow-rumped
warbler, northern waterthrush,
and pine warbler - have arrived
in New England by the 3rd or 4th week in April.
The peak of the warbler migration generally occurs during the
first few weeks of May. Males usually arrive at the breeding
range about a week before the females. |
|
| |
|
|
| • |
The flight period of the Spring
Azure usually begins around the end of April. This butterfly
can be found in open wooded areas, forest edges, old fields,
and brushy areas.
The Brown Elfin's flight period
begins around the same time and extends into early June. Their
favored habitats are mixed forests, pine barrens, and acid
bogs.
|
|
| |
|
|
| • |
Many wildflowers bloom during this period. The early spring
wildflowers bloom before the trees leaf out and cut off the
sunlight. Among the early bloomers are coltsfoot
and Dutchman's breeches.
|
|
| |
|
|
| • |
Most years, trees leaf out by the 1st or 2nd week of May,
depending upon the weather and temperature. Ash trees are
among the last to leaf out.
|
|
| |
|
|
| • |
In New England, the breeding calls of the spring peepers
continue to be heard until about the end of May. Each
female lays up to 1000 eggs - either singly or in small clusters.
The eggs hatch into tadpoles within about a week.
|
|
| |
|
|
| • |
Many mammals give birth during this period, including raccoons,
skunks, opossums,
and minks.
|
|
| |
|
|
| • |
The first white-tailed
deer fawns are born in late May. Mature white-tailed does
usually give birth to twins, although triplets are not uncommon
if the doe is very well-nourished.
Within several hours after birth, the doe finds separate hiding
places for her fawns. She returns to them several times each
day to groom them and to nurse them. After each visit, she moves
the fawn to a new hiding spot. This behavior helps protect the
fawns from predators. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Note: The "late spring"
period is the time from approximately mid-April thru the end
of May. Timing of events will vary depending upon your
latitude and elevation. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Seasons
of Nature in New England Archives |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
