Snow Geese Migration in Washington
Thousands of lesser Snow Geese take flight at sunset near Pudget Sound
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Source: Migration Routes and Stopovers of North Puget Sound Snow Geese, P. Frank Stevick, 2017
Every winter, thousands of lesser Snow Geese complete their 3,000-mile journey from Wrangel Island, Russia, to winter in the Pacific Northwest of North America and California’s Central Valley. This map illustrates just how far these birds migrate each year.
The spectacle of thousands of birds taking flight marks a true triumph of conservation. Before the 1970s, these birds were nearly extinct. In the early 1900s, their population was reduced to 2,000 birds. While some populations are still in recovery, their numbers are growing. According to the Audubon Society Snow Goose data, they believed they number between 6 and 7 million.
Where to find them
If you want to observe or photograph the Snow Geese, the most likely place to find them is in the Skagit Bay Estuary. This is north of Stanwood, WA, and south of Bow, WA. There are quite a few areas in the Skagit wildlife area managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife that can be used for birding and photography. The images taken in this post were photographed in the area known as the Big Ditch. I have also observed large numbers near Fir Island, known as the Skagit Headquarters Wildlife Area Unit.
While these locations are public land, the geese will often take advantage of the agricultural fields found across the region. Make sure to respect private property properly. Many roads throughout the area do not have a paved shoulder to park on. Parking on the grass can leave ruts that the landowner will struggle to maintain.
“Be respectful of private property.”
Best time to View
While they begin arriving in the Skagit River Delta as early as September, Snow Goose observation data from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology shows that mid-October to mid-March.
A special note about viewing Snow Geese. Since these birds are no longer endangered, they are on a management plan by Washington State Fish and Wildlife. This means that the prime time to view these birds in the Skagit River Delta is also hunting season for migratory birds. The areas listed above are public land that can and is used for hunting these birds, so proceed with caution.
Final Thoughts
It is hard to describe what watching a flock of Snow Geese take flight sounds or looks like. I hope the images indicate, but I encourage you to get out and see it for yourself. If you have any additional tips on photographing large flocks of birds, I'd love to hear them in the comments below. If you want more wildlife images or prints, checkout the links below.
