Autumn Wildlife Adventures One way to fully experience the heart of the season is to head to our forests and mountaintops. You'll not only see stunning views and color, but you'll get to see how the natural world prepares for our New England winters.

New England's golden hour arrives with a softness and magic that will only last a short while. In a snap — a chilly one — all things seem to change, and there's a sense of anticipation you can feel inside. &emsp;&emsp;We're not the only ones to sense it. The trees recognize it deep in their roots, and the birds stretch their wings for migration flight. If you're paying attention, it's a season full of miracles. &emsp;&emsp;One way to experience the beauty and nuances of the changing season is to dive into the world of autumn bird migration. &emsp;&emsp;One person whose captivation with fall and bird migration is contagious is Phil Brown, bird conservation director for the Harris Center (harriscenter.org). His own story is one sprinkled with remarkable miracles. &emsp;&emsp;"I've been a birder since I was a little kid growing up in Staten Island, New York," he says. &emsp;&emsp;Though an unlikely place to fall in love with wildlife, Brown found a way to connect with the birds he observed where he lived. &emsp;&emsp;"They quickly became my window to the rest of the world," he says. Hawk-watching Fast forward, and Brown's location changed to New Hampshire, but his passion for watching wildlife did not. &emsp;&emsp;He'd gone hawk-watching before, and after learning he was close to the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory, he made his way up the mountain. &emsp;&emsp;"The first day on the summit, I was lucky enough to see a golden eagle, which is a pretty rare sighting," he recalls. &emsp;&emsp;But rarer still was what happened next. &emsp;&emsp;"Coincidently, I got to meet my wife that day. She was the seasonal hawk watcher for New Hampshire Audubon at the time," he says with a laugh. &emsp;&emsp;Not only did that day spark their relationship but also his deep involvement with NH Audubon and then the Harris Center. &emsp;&emsp;"Raptors embody this fierceness and power and truly seem as wild as it can get," he says. &emsp;&emsp;The birds' extraordinary migrations have always fascinated him.* &emsp;&emsp;He's not alone. Each year, during the autumn migration season, trained hawk watchers are present at official sites, like Pack Monadnock, where a consistent count of birds takes place. Over the last two decades, valuable trends have risen to the surface. &emsp;&emsp;"For example, it was a surprise that golden eagles migrated over New Hampshire's airspace at all," Brown notes. &emsp;&emsp;But as it turns out, it was happening annually. Turkey vulture numbers have increased, as have those of the bald eagle, which has broken records year after year. &emsp;&emsp;"That's been a great success story," Brown says. &emsp;&emsp;Unfortunately, several other species are trending in the opposite direction, such as ospreys, American kestrels, and northern harriers (currently on the state's endangered species list). &emsp;&emsp;Pack Monadnock is one of the hundreds of Hawk Watch sites throughout the Americas and part of the Hawk Migration Association of North America (hawkwatch.org). &emsp;&emsp;"Collectively, we are able to really see these trends play out, and we can begin to monitor and then react as stewards of the natural world," Brown says. &emsp;&emsp;It has become increasingly clear how important time in nature is for physical and mental well-being. &emsp;&emsp;So, as Brown put it, "It's both a service to the Earth and to ourselves to take care of these natural places and the species that inhabit them." &emsp;&emsp;This fall, when observers go to revel in the migration miracle, the broad-winged hawk is one species they're likely to see. &emsp;&emsp;"They're such a star of the show in the early season," Brown says. They pass through the region in September, "and it's the most amazing spectacle to see this cloud of birds," he says. "We describe it as a 'kettle of raptors,' like the swirling steam from a kettle." &emsp;&emsp;These hawks travel in flocks of hundreds, and "it blows everybody's minds that hawks are doing this every year in the same places over our heads and largely going unnoticed," Brown says. &emsp;&emsp;However, on Pack Monadnock, it's a well-attended event, with people standing on the summit shoulder to shoulder on some days. &emsp;&emsp;What makes the mountain a long-known place for hawk watching is its north-to-south-facing ridgeline, which offers updrafts for the birds to soar on. However, it's not the only such place in the region. Putney Mountain in nearby Vermont is also an official Hawk Watch site. &emsp;&emsp;And, "for a quieter experience, I often will bring groups up to Crotched Mountain," Brown offers. The short, accessible trail in Bennington, New Hampshire, leads to a platform with great views. Gap Mountain in Troy has also been known to attract hawk watchers. &emsp;&emsp;"Any mountaintop that gives you a good north and west view would be a good place to try," Brown says. &emsp;&emsp;In addition to finding an optimal destination to look up, Brown suggested investing in a bit of preparation. &emsp;&emsp;"Maybe study up a bit if you want to have an experience that involves learning the species and how to identify them," he says. The Harris Center's website offers a wealth of resources, including several upcoming virtual and in-person learning opportunities at harriscenter.org/events. Leaf peeping and wildlife watching The wonderful thing about autumn is that getting out in nature can deliver double with both wildlife and foliage. Brown encourages nature lovers to be on the lookout for migrating monarch butterflies and amphibian populations, as well. &emsp;&emsp;To immerse yourself in the brightness of leaves and seek out flashes of other wild creatures, the newly protected Surry Mountain Preserve is an ideal place to go. &emsp;&emsp;"This incredible 1,368-acre preserve, just north of Keene, is a critical piece of a 50,000-acre conservation puzzle being pieced together in the Monadnock Region," says Joanne Glode, preserve steward with The Nature Conservatory. &emsp;&emsp;The forest is composed mainly of mature stands of oaks, hemlock, pine, beech and birch frequented by white-tailed deer, bobcats, porcupines, and grey squirrels. &emsp;&emsp;"It's a resilient and connected landscape where people and nature can thrive, even in the midst of a changing climate," Glode says. &emsp;&emsp;Though it doesn't have a traditional, open summit, "Surry Mountain, with its north-south geography and length, along with its placement in the river valley, would be a good location to observe raptor flights," Brown notes. &emsp;&emsp;In addition, Globe says the Preserve's autumn colors as "truly fantastic," adding that "those who hike up to Lily Pond will be treated to some pretty incredible scenic views." &emsp;&emsp;The area around the pond is perfect for a picnic and maybe even catching wildlife glimpses over the water. The protected acreage also boasts nearly nine miles of frontage along seven headwater streams, helping to provide clean water to the greater Keene community. &emsp;&emsp;"Old trees loom tall over several cellar holes and stone walls, tell-tale reminders of those that grazed their sheep here before abandoning the pastures in the mid-1800s," says Megan Latour, marketing and communications manager for the Conservancy. &emsp;&emsp;Further back, more than 3,000 years ago, Native Abenaki also camped in Surry Mountain's shadow as they hunted for bear and deer and fished the nearby Ashuelot River, which is "thought to mean 'collection of many waters' in their native tongue," Latour says. &emsp;&emsp;Find more about opportunities to explore this unique place, including maps of the main trails, at nature.org/surrymountain. *For more information on hawk migrations, see: hawkwatch.org/learn/factsheets/item/813-raptor-migration SIDEBAR MORE ON BIRD WATCHING For fall wildlife, birds are ideal for spotting because you can watch them take to the sky. A handy app to download is merlin.allaboutbirds.org, which the Cornell Lab of Ornithology developed. Hit "record," and the app will identify which birds can be heard in the surrounding environment, even if you haven't directly spotted them. &emsp;&emsp;Keep in mind that animals are likely to remain hidden when human visitors are near. Consider packing binoculars for viewing opportunities from a distance. You might also set up a wildlife camera in your backyard to find surprise four-legged guests. &emsp;&emsp;No matter which kind of wildlife you're looking for, keep an open mind. Weather and other conditions that may appear perfect to humans may not be ideal for animals. Be prepared to simply sit, watch the sky, and reflect on the new season. If you enjoy movement, try to incorporate a hike into the day. &emsp;&emsp;If you're aiming to summit, be sure to wear layers for chillier temps up top and sunscreen for more direct exposure. Consider choosing less popular weekdays to avoid busy weekends when parking may also be full. &emsp;&emsp;For instance, Pack Monadnock sees around 6,000 visitors each autumn as it's the state's premier hawk-watching locale. Going on a calmer day can also give you more one-on-one time with the naturalist or hawk watcher on duty. &emsp;&emsp;Wherever you choose to hit the trails, remember to tread lightly, leave no trace, and look for tiny miracles. &emsp;&emsp;For more information and tip on watching New Hampshire wildlife visit wildlife.state.nh.us/outdoor-recreation/wildlife-watching.html. *For more information on hawk migrations, see: hawkwatch.org/learn/factsheets/item/813-raptor-migration