Mud Season = Incredible Wildlife Watching

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

Rumor has it that it’s mud season in New Hampshire. Well, that might be true, but along with the mud comes some incredible wildlife watching. Viewing wildlife is fun and educational – and free! It’s a family-friendly activity, you can do it just about anywhere, and the best part is you can drive aimlessly and practically be guaranteed to see something. Spring is a great time to look for wildlife because the trees are still bare and it’s easier to spot animals during this time of year. Here are a few tips that will help you get the most out of your wildlife watching expeditions:

Source: Wikipedia

Hawks: Hawks can be seen during all times of the day into early evening. Look for them near open fields, along interstates, and circling over head. Hawks like to perch themselves near tree tops so they can spy on their prey. The most common ones are the red-tailed hawks; they are mainly brown with a white, speckled breast and belly. Scan the tops of trees along road ways and you are virtually guaranteed to see a hawk.

Source: Wikipedia

Herons and other water birds: They’re back! Herons like to wade in shallow water and walk slowly along river banks. Look for them in marshy, wet areas that settle along streams and rivers. They fly slowly overhead, flapping their oversized wings with their tiny feet visible under their bellies. If you’re lucky, a heron will lead you to its nest.

Source: Wikipedia

Red-winged Blackbirds: Nothing says spring is here like the presence of red-winged blackbirds. They gather in cattail marshes and other wetlands, spreading their wings in order to be noticed. The females tend to keep closer to the ground while the males preen at the tops of the cattails and trees.

Source: Wikipedia

Moose: With over 6,500 moose in New Hampshire, you are bound to see one in your travels – if you know where to look. Expect to go north to increase your chances of seeing one. The northern sections of Routes 16 and 3 are excellent roads to take in order to see a moose. If you spot a few cars on the side of the road, or if a car coming in your direction flashes its lights at you, it’s likely there’s a moose ahead. Moose like to hang around wet roadside areas called licks. Slow down, use caution, and stay back if you decide to take pictures. Moose are especially hard to see at night.

Source: Wikipedia

Deer: You never know where you’ll see a deer, but they are around. The last one I saw was trotting alongside Route 93 near Campton in the middle of the day. Keep looking along the edges of open fields, especially at dawn and dusk.

Source: Wikipedia

Eagles: Spotting an eagle is an exciting and rare opportunity. Boating on a large body of water will increase your chances of seeing one. Look for a large bird with a white capped head and white tail feathers. The eagle has black wings and a huge yellow-orange beak. They like to soar through the air and nest along cliffs, and their wingspan can reach 6 feet!

Wildlife watching is a great way to spend your spring weekends. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. It’s the perfect activity when the kids complain that there’s “nothing to do.” For more information about wildlife watching in New Hampshire, please visit the NH Fish & Game website.