Finally, autumn’s most striking wildlife are making their debut, and you can watch. As the heat fades and leaves turn yellow and orange, months of mate seeking and migration are upon us. Take a peek at our five favorite live-stream wildlife cams, and virtually visit animals across forest, marshland, and ocean.   

HONEYBEES

Nestled deep within a hollow log, this infrared live cam displays an up-close view of honeybees buzzing about. Located in Bavaria, Germany, the hive bustles with constant honey production, comb building, and nectar storing. Food gathered during the fall months is crucial for the colony’s survival, as harsh winter conditions draw near. The queen slows her egg laying, and older bees begin to die out. With a diminished hive population, there is more honey to go around.  

WHITE-TAILED DEER

Native across the North American continent, white-tailed deer use the fall months, also known as the rut, to find their mate. Deer Trail’s wildlife cam, located in central Minnesota, brings all the action. Beyond their typical grazing activities, catch bucks fiercely battling for does, locking their racks, and challenging each other for territory.

MIGRATORY BIRDS

Situated directly on the Eastern Atlantic Flyway, the Urdaibai Bird Center is an ideal spot for observing migratory birds as they seek out warmer weather. The live cam overlooks the Orueta lagoon in Gautegiz Arteaga, Spain. Test your virtual bird-watching skills and scan for Eurasian bitterns, purple herons, and ospreys as they circle, wade, and search for grub. Prime time to watch is during late afternoon feeding; that’s 12 P.M. EST.

ORCAS

Weighing up to 10 tons, the orcas can be seen hunting, jumping, or socializing with other pod members. The OrcaLab research center, located on Hanson Island in British Columbia, monitors the killer whales with a minimal-interference approach. The center uses radio transmitters to track underwater activity and identify individual animals without disrupting the pods. Summer and autumn are peak seasons, as the Northern Resident orcas follow Pacific salmon migrations north toward Alaska and past the camera. Since the orcas aren’t always on screen, this video offering allows people to sign up to receive text messages when the whales are back.

BATS

Halloween is around the corner, and what better way to prepare than getting an inside peek at Bat World, the only accredited bat sanctuary on Earth. The organization, based in Weatherford, Texas, offers a space where bats comfortably dwell in both indoor and outdoor enclosures. During autumn, the sanctuary accommodates newly rescued animals that are either depleted from lengthy migration flights or stuck in buildings. Five different live cams capture the winged creatures as they hang, fly, and play with a variety of toys. There is even a padded floor in case they fall.