It's autumn in the United States. Birds, butterflies, and other wildlife are on the move to warmer regions. Here's 5 beautiful, surprising, and unusual critters you might see on your porch, patio, deck, balcony, or other outdoor space during fall migrations.

Quick Tip

You're not necessarily more likely to see interesting critters if you live in one of the migration belts. Migration paths, flyways, and corridors are tricky things to identify for birds and other wildlife, although the migration routes of certain specific species are known (more information).

1. Monarch Butterflies

Image: U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Monarchs are fascinating for their brilliant coloring and their strenuous migration habits, often taking generations to migrate.

2. Bats

While some beneficial bats hibernate, others, generally tree-roosting bats, migrate to caves or warmer climates in the late summer or fall.

Image: Mexican Free-Tailed Bat, Public Domain

Several North American bats migrate, including the Mexican free-tailed bat. This bat travels to Mexico from areas of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and Texas.

The endangered Indiana bat migrates surrounding areas to caves for the winter along the eastern part of the United States.

3. Dragonflies

Image: Libellula vibrans

It's less known, but many species of dragonflies migrate. Sometimes the migration consists of mass flights of thousands, sometimes individuals.

Some dragonflies you might see migrating in the fall:

• Common Green Darner (Anax junius)
• Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans)
• Painted Skimmer (Libellula semifasciata)
• Vermilion Saddlebags (Tramea abdominalis)

4. Hummingbirds

Image: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Hummingbirds are attracted by native plants like coral honeysuckle, non-natives like the hummingbird bush (Hamelia patens), and, of course, hummingbird feeders.

If you live in the eastern half of the United States, including Texas, you might catch a glimpse of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, a gem of a bird that winters in Mexico and Central America.

If you live in the western half of the United States, you might spot a rufous hummingbird on its way from southern Alaska to Mexico.

5. Hawks

Around 60,000 hawks migrate every year, including Broad-winged Hawks. You wouldn't think you would find them in an urban setting, but certain hawks like the cliff-like structures of skyscrapers while others find much to eat in suburbia.

Broad-winged hawks in groups called kettles may be seen in August.