Begin Main Content Area

 Content Editor

Snow Goose and Waterfowl Migration Update

Livestream of the migration at Middle Creek This livestream from Willow Point at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster County is brought to you by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and HDOnTap. The best times to view snow geese on the lake are sunrise (before they leave to feed in neighboring fields) and sunset (as they return from feeding to roost). Other species of waterfowl including tundra swans, Canada geese, and many species of ducks can be viewed throughout the day. Learn more about the snow geese migration at Middle Creek in this webinar.

Middle Creek livestream

 


​​​​​Middle Creek Visitors Center:


100 Museum Road; Stevens PA 17578

Migration Magic—A Story Map: Your one-stop shop for information on Middle Creek then and now, snow goose natural history and migration, breeding and wintering grounds, and visiting Middle Creek.

Take a virtual hike down Willow Point Trail (8:16)

View periodic estimates of the numbers of various waterfowl visiting and annual summaries below the live feed.

ADVISORY: Please note that these numbers are estimates and subject to rapid and dramatic change. Major weather events including snow and freezing temperatures can quickly impact the number of birds that can be found at Middle Creek. These updates are submitted by Middle Creek Staff.​


March 11, 2024​

As expected, numbers of migratory waterfowl have continued to drop since the last update. Snow geese and tundra swans are now north of Middle Creek waiting to make their final pushes to their arctic breeding grounds. 

This season was interesting with ups and downs with numbers reminding us that these birds are difficult to predict exactly when they will peak.​

This year our peak numbers of snow geese were right around 70,000 the weekend of February 24 and 25.

If you missed the migration this year, don't worry. There is always next year! Also, Middle Creek is home to over 110 species of breeding birds that beginning their northern journeys. Middle Creek is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year! 

Until next year…

Snow Geese: 850
Tundra Swans: 55

Canada Geese: 575


March 8, 2024

Surprisingly, numbers of snow geese have remained relatively stabile here at Middle Creek. Although we are past the peak, there are some birds that are always pulling up the rear of migration and like to stick it out a little longer. 

Tundra swan numbers saw a jump yesterday when a few hundred of them were staging on the lake. However, at sunrise this morning, they almost all had moved on. 

Consistent warmer temperatures next week will most likely send our migratory waterfowl north but in the mean time enjoy the fresh sounds of spring and the other migratory waterfowl that are starting to become more abundant including wood ducks and northern shovelers. 

Snow Geese: 19,000
Tundra Swans: 35
Canada Geese: 715

March 5, 2024​

As expected, after the warm temperatures Sunday and continued southerly winds, waterfowl have really started to push north. In the case of snow geese and tundra swans, that means our numbers have dropped as most of their populations are past Pennsylvania and headed into New York and southern Canada. Other migratory waterfowl including ducks and Canada geese are still coming through and some of our songbirds including tree swallows and field sparrows have returned! The eastern bluebirds and red-winged blackbirds have also started singing and establishing their territories! 

Check back in on Friday for our weekend update!

Snow Geese: 16,000
Tundra Swans: 5

Canada Geese: 1350


March 1, 2024

Is anyone else confused by the weather we have been having the last few days? Is it winter? Is it spring? Warm and sunny, cold and windy and now rain tomorrow! While the shifting weather can be an inconvenience for us as we all look forward to warmer weather ahead, it also signifies that spring is right around the corner. And the waterfowl knows it!

As days get longer in terms of sunlight, waterfowl feel an internal pull that calls them north to their breeding grounds, as long as the weather is conducive for migrating. Southerly winds early this week (and again this weekend), have birds on the move which means changes for the numbers in our counts. Geese are down but swans and duck numbers are increasing. If you are planning on seeing the snow geese in larger numbers, we suggest planning your trip sooner than later.

As a reminder, this is the last weekend that the Lancaster County Bird club will be operating their concession stand in the Visitors Center. They will offer a variety of food options on weekends in conjunction with the Visitor Center hours through Sunday, March 3, 2024. A birding ambassador from the club will also be available at the viewing area overlooking the feeders in the Visitor Center to help visitors identify birds and share information on birding. Purchases from the concession stand help supplement this non-profit organization's annual donations to Middle Creek which include keeping the Visitors Center bird feeders full.

Snow Geese: 38,500
Tundra Swans: 825
Canada Geese: 1450

Most common duck species: American black duck, mallard, common merganser, wood duck, American wigeon, American green-winged teal, ring-necked duck, gadwall​

February 27, 2024​

If you have been paying attention to our live migration webcam, you may have noticed the white blob on the lake getting bigger and louder! Warmer temperatures coupled with the snow melt locally have made near perfect conditions for snow geese to use Middle Creek.

This past weekend our numbers hit roughly 70,000 snow geese and our tundra swan numbers also increased to almost 1,000 birds. However, near dusk last night a large portion of the tundra swans left and the morning revealed less than 50 birds. Canada geese numbers, however, did increase and one of our favorite ducks, the northern shoveler, has stared to grace us with their presence at Stop 1 on the Wildlife Drive.

Speaking of the Wildlife Drive; This Friday March 1st marks the first day that it is open this year. If you are planning on making the trek to Middle Creek this weekend and venture to the Wildlife Drive, please make sure you are being observant of the closed area signs. Many areas at Middle Creek are closed to help protect our wildlife during the sensitive winter and migration times. 

Only time will tell if our numbers will go down for the weekend. If you have time this week, even if its only in the evenings, we would recommend coming out to see the snow geese. The warmer weather could continue to push them north and there is no guarantee they will be here in big numbers this weekend.

Snow Geese: 62,000
Tundra Swans: 36
Canada Geese: 2,300​

 
February 23 2024​

What a difference a few days can make! We've seen a steady increase in snow geese throughout the week with about 12,000 on Wednesday, 20,000 on Thursday, and 46,000 as of Friday morning!

Signs of other migrating species and early spring are definitely in the air. This week we've started seeing and hearing American Woodcock doing their “peent" calls and their rapidly chirping flight displays in the evenings.

This weekend will be cold but next week has a rapid warm up with temperatures pushing close to 60 degrees. Waterfowl will continue to be on the move throughout the week so it'll be interesting to see if numbers increase into next week. Only time will tell!

Even though it will be cold this weekend, the Visitor Center is a great place to learn and warm up! Also as a reminder for visitors coming to Middle Creek this weekend, the Lancaster County Bird Club will again be operating their concession stand in the Visitors Center. They will offer a variety of food options on weekends in conjunction with the Visitor Center hours through Sunday, March 3, 2024. A birding ambassador from the club will also be available at the viewing area overlooking the feeders in the Visitor Center to help visitors identify birds and share information on birding. Purchases from the concession stand help supplement this non-profit organization's annual donations to Middle Creek which include keeping the Visitors Center bird feeders full.​

Have a great weekend!

Snow Geese: 46,000
Tundra Swans: 420
Canada Geese: 620
Duck Species: American Black Duck, Mallard, and Common Merganser are the most abundant but also Gadwall, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Green-winged Teal, Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck, and Ruddy Duck have recently been seen.


February 20,​ 2024

It's been an interesting spring migration so far this year and overall below average numbers of all waterfowl species at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, but it's not over!

We've been receiving a lot of questions about where are all the snow geese? Why are their numbers so low this year? Rest easy, their populations are not declining. Regionally there are a lot of snow geese currently on the landscape but they are spread out far and wide hence no large 150,000 to 200,000 bird concentrations we've seen in previous years. Due to above average temperatures, most roosting bodies of water are not froze and have not had much sustained ice throughout the winter. You also need to get north of Lake Ontario to see any significant snow which would impact any feeding opportunities in fields. There are still some decent sized reports of snow geese to our south so more are in the potential pipeline but there are also significant numbers of snow geese being reported to the north already. The next two weeks have above normal temperatures so there's a good chance southerly wind days will have birds on the move.

One species of bird that seems to be above average this winter at Middle Creek are bald eagles. This morning there were 14 eagles on some ice that formed overnight on the main lake with recent reports of 20+ eagles on the overall property in the past few days! It's a good opportunity to see the complex various immature feather plumages of bald eagles which encompass the 1 to 4 year old birds. It takes bald eagles about 5 years to fully show their adult definitive plumage, but be careful because some 4 year old eagles can look very similar.

Overall lower numbers of snow geese leads to lower number of visitors so if you'd like to experience Middle Creek with less people while still getting to see some spring time visiting wildlife species, now is a good time to come!

We'll provide another update on Friday! Happy wildlife viewing!

Snow Geese: 2,400
Tundra Swans: 350
Canada Geese: 550

Duck Species: American Black Duck, Mallard, and Common Merganser are the most abundant but also Gadwall, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Green-winged Teal, Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck, and Ruddy Duck have recently been seen.


February 16, 2024

What a difference the weather can make! After the snow on Tuesday, cold temperatures have created a crusty layer of icy snow on most of the fields around Middle Creek. While our main lake is unfrozen, the covered fields have made it difficult for waterfowl to feed, causing them to fly further to find food. This is most likely why their numbers have decreased locally.

On top of the snow covered fields, the high winds this morning had most other waterfowl species like ducks and Canada geese seeking refuge in small ponds.

Fortunately, for the birds that have decided to stay, with open water, that means the small ponds that we perform "drawdowns" on have a lot of food such as aquatic plants and seeds. You can learn more about the wetland habitat work we do here.

So what can you expect for the weekend? It's hard to say. Without much change in weather patterns, probably much of the same. But if you have not made the trip to Middle Creek, this may be a good weekend to come. Without knowing what the future holds, seeing nearly 10,000 snow geese is still exciting!

For visitors coming to Middle Creek this weekend, Lancaster County Bird Club will begin operating their concession stand in the Visitors Center starting on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. They will offer a variety of food options on weekends in conjunction with the Visitor Center hours through Sunday, March 3, 2024. A birding ambassador from the club will also be available at the viewing area overlooking the feeders in the Visitor Center to help visitors identify birds and share information on birding. Purchases from the concession stand help supplement this non-profit organization’s annual donations to Middle Creek which include keeping the Visitors Center bird feeders full.,

Snow Geese: 8.500
Tundra Swans: 87
Canada Geese: 175 in main areas that are usually counted; many birds are most likely on interior ponds and coves


February 14, 2024

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our count yesterday was delayed due to weather and as to be expected, numbers have dropped due to the snow the area received.

Here are some fun Valentine's Day facts for you:

Did you know that tundra swans, snow geese and Canada geese mate for life? If one of the pair is lost or dies however, they will usually find a new partner. These three species are not dimorphic, meaning the males and females look nearly identical.

Ducks on the other hand only form seasonal pair bonds during the breeding season. They will seek out a new mate each year, only choosing ones who can help pass on strong genes to a new generation. Male and female ducks are dimorphic meaning the male looks different than the female. The male usually has very colorful plumage to attract the female while the female usually has brown and drabby plumage to help them blend in with their environment, especially during nesting season.

Its a little early to tell what the next few days will look like with the migration. Did some birds push north through the storm into northern New York where they received little to no snow? Or did they push south again back into the Chesapeake Bay? Check back on Friday for updated numbers for the weekend.

Snow Geese: 23,000
Tundra Swans: 105
Canada Geese: 1,300


February 9, 2024

As expected, numbers of snow geese and Canada geese continue to climb. We have seen a small dip in tundra swans but overall, it is safe to say the migration is in full swing. 

Numbers of snow geese in the Chesapeake Bay have started to decrease but without major snow cover until Canada, snow geese will continue to move north to the Finger Lakes in New York. Tens of thousands of snow geese have already been reported there this past week. 

What does that mean for Middle Creek? Numbers can rise and fall very quickly, so we suggest making plans to visit the snow geese soon if it was on your list of things to do this year. Remember, weekends are the busiest times at Middle Creek, so coming during the week, if possible, will be a less crowded experience. Mornings (at sunrise)  and afternoon to sunset is the best time to see the snow geese with the mornings being the least crowded. 

You can learn more quick facts about snow geese and how to navigate around Middle Creek during your visit by checking out our informational video here.

Snow Goose: 47,000
Tundra Swans: 415
Canada Geese: 2,300


February 6, 2024​

With consistent sunny and slightly warmer weather, geese and swan numbers have increased. During the count this morning, some snow geese were leaving the lake as others were coming to spend the day. The snow goose is an extremely nomadic bird that hopscotches across their migration route with constant goal of moving north to their summer breeding grounds. 

We expect numbers to hold steady through the next few days, but only time will tell. You can learn more information about snow gee​se, their history, and their migration routes by visiting our Migration Magic Story Map here

Our next update will be on Friday, but in the mean time, keep your eyes on the snow goose webcam to see how the weekend is shaping up.

Snow Geese: 15,000
Tundra Swans: 575
Canada Geese: 1400

February 2, 2024

Happy Groundhogs Day! According to Punxsutawney Phil's prediction, Spring is right around the corner! 

Numbers at Middle Creek have not changed much since the last update. Less snow geese have been roosting on the lake but we continue to observe smaller flocks (between 2,000 - 3,000 birds) throughout the day coming and going. Usually at this time of year, snow geese numbers start small and climb over time. If you take a look at eBird data on snow geese here, major numbers of snow geese are spread out in the Finger Lakes in New York, the Lehigh Valley area, and National Wildlife Refuges like Bombay Hook and Prime Hook in Delaware, and Cape May and Edwin B Forsythe in New Jersey.

With snow geese spread out far and wide this year, its hard to know if we will experience our peak migration like we have in previous years. Only time will tell, but keep checking our migration updates here for more information as the official Spring draws near.​

Snow Geese: 230 (larger flock​s between 2,000-3,000 birds possible throughout the day).
Tundra Swans: 320
Canada Geese: 1200


January 31, 2024:


Welcome to the 2024 Spring waterfowl migration season at Middle Creek!

This winter has been a weird one and has left us scratching our heads wondering when the peak of the migration season will be. This update comes shortly after snow geese have decided to call Middle Creek's​ lake home for the first time this year.

At this time last year, we were already hitting our peak snow goose migration which topped out at 79,000 birds. This year, freezing conditions and snow cover north of us are keeping birds from migrating early. Middle Creek, however, is open for business. Our lake is no longer frozen and the local agricultural fields are free of snow, both requirements for migratory waterfowl to utilize Middle Creek during their journey. 

Keep an eye on our biweekly counts on this page to see how the migration is shaping up. As a reminder, our visitors center reopened January 16, so we are ready to welcome you for the migration spectacle. You can learn more about preparing for your visit to Middle Creek here.

Snow Geese: 3,000
Tundra Swans: 130
Canada Geese: 1,100

2023 Migration Summary:

Peak numbers of the large waterfowl, by species and the date the high-count was recorded:
      Snow geese: 79,000 on 01/31/23
      Tundra swans: 1,950 on 01/31/23
      Canada geese: 2,250 on 02/17/23 

2022 Migration Summary:
Peak numbers of the large waterfowl, by species and the date the high-count was recorded:
      Snow geese: 105,000 on 02/25/22
      Tundra swans: 4,500 on 02/28/22
      Canada geese: 3,500 on 02/07/22 

2021 Migration Summary:
Peak numbers of the large waterfowl, by species and the date the high-count was recorded:
      Snow geese: 120,000 on 03/08/21
      Tundra swans: 1,050 on 03/08/21
      Canada geese: 2,500 on 03/12/21   

2020 Migration Summary:
Peak numbers of the large waterfowl, by species and the date the high-count was recorded:
      Snow geese: 125,000 on 02/18/20
      Tundra swans: 3,000 on 02/07/20
      Canada geese: 3,000 on 02/03/20   

2019 Migration Summary:
Peak numbers of the large waterfowl, by species and the date the high-count was recorded:
      Snow geese: 150,000 on 03/12/19
      Tundra swans: 5,000 on 03/04/19
      Canada geese: 3,000 on 03/04/19   

2018 Migration Summary:
Peak numbers of the large waterfowl, by species and the date the high-count was recorded:
      Snow geese: 200,000 on 02/21/18 (largest number on record)
      Tundra swans: 5,500 on 02/22/18
      Canada geese: 7,500+ on 02/15/18

2017 Migration Summary:
Peak numbers of the large waterfowl, by species and the date the high-count was recorded:
     Snow geese: 70,000+ on 02/22/17
     Tundra swans: 4,500+ on 02/6/17
     Canada geese: 5,000+ on 02/10/17

MIGRATION BACKGROUND: The period that annually attracts the most birds, and visitors, remains late winter. During this timeframe, large numbers of migrating waterfowl normally appear. In recent years, more than 100,000 snow geese, 10,000 tundra swans, 10,000 Canada geese, and a wide variety of ducks have stopped at Middle Creek while pushing north to their breeding grounds. It's also a great place to see northern harriers, or "marsh hawks," nesting and immature bald eagles, and more common creatures such as white-tailed deer and red-tailed hawks.

There are many variables that determine the arrival of migrating waterfowl. The most significant is icing. When the ice on the main impoundment thaws to create areas of open water, the birds begin to arrive. Snow cover on the surrounding agricultural fields also influences the arrival waterfowl because it can limit access to the waste grains these birds depend on for food. Therefore, areas of open water and limited or no snow cover on adjacent fields strongly influence Middle Creek's drawing and holding power for migrants.

Many of the migrants that come to Middle Creek winter south of Pennsylvania and usually begin to push north in conjunction with spring thaw. During extreme winters with a late thaw, however, there's always a chance waterfowl will fly over Middle Creek, or stop only briefly. Timing is critical for migration and nesting.

Exactly when birds arrive can be difficult to predict. Generally, the birds, when conditions permit, begin to arrive in late February or early March. For those planning a trip to Middle Creek, the first weekend in March would be a good time to visit. A map of the area is available at the Visitors Center, as are the latest updates and bird sightings. Make sure to bring along binoculars, and field guide to help identify some of the birds you'll see. Warm clothes also an important consideration if you plan to drive with your windows open. A camera also is usually worth taking, because sometimes tremendous photo opportunities arise at Middle Creek.

After stopping by the Center, visitors follow the self-guided driving tour to Stop #1, located at the lower end of the lake. This is normally an excellent site to view tundra swans. Another suggestion would be to hike to Willow Point. At dusk or dawn, this provides the best vantage for snow geese. To fully appreciate Middle Creek, a drive through the interior on the Tour Road shouldn't be missed. Weather and driving conditions permitting, the Tour Road will open March 1. A significant portion of the interior remains Propagation Area where entry is prohibited. It is because of the Propagation Area that waterfowl are attracted to Middle Creek. Within these areas, the habitat and lack of human disturbance remain the primary reason why Middle Creek has become such a vital stop to migrating waterfowl.

Middle Creek