Snowgeese on the Sound
Snowgeese in the field at sunrise
One of the best times around here is December through March. Not just because of the ridiculous eagle populations and the salmon runs but specifically because of the snowgeese migrations. They’ve been plentiful in the last couple of years in the Skagit Valley and Snohomish County fields. We’ve even seen many of them around Island County grazing the fields during the day and taking off practically as noisy as the jets towards sunset.
Our first encounter with them this year was driving off of Camano Island to Stanwood. We noticed a long threadlike gray/black wave heading towards us from the valley towards Port Susan. As they got closer and crossed overhead, we realized how much we missed their characteristic wing flaps, their black wing tips and their unmistakable calls. It’s always so wonderful to observe their aerial synchronization.
These snow geese are special, unlike the ones on the east coast, these families traveled 3000 miles from Wrangel Island Russia to get here. Long-time locals say they used to just pass by and stay a few short days, maybe a week or so, and continue on to California. But now, they stay around longer. In 21/22 it was all year in most parts of the Skagit Valley into Bow and beyond. We’re hoping to see them in the valley all winter again this year.
One of the best places to witness these arctic birds is on Fir Island Farms Reserve (Hayton Snow Goose Reserve). Their flight path being as free as a bird (yes well I did), they could fly in from any direction. It’s best to keep an eye out 360 if they aren’t all already performing their cacophony right there.
Another good place is right by the open fields in Bow/Edison off of Farm-to-Market Road. There isn’t much parking in this area and requires attention. But caught at the right time it’s possible to get great pictures of them with a dramatic snow-capped Baker as your backdrop.
Best times to catch them are around dawn, just before sunrise. Once the sun is visible from behind the Cascades the snow geese will be well on their way to their daily feeding zones. The first light can also produce amazing lighting with the Olympics in the distance.
While observing them I can’t help but think that they also mate for life - unless one is unexpectedly taken. They will fly with their young during the migrations and then split before heading back up into their nesting fields. Their nesting habitat in the Canadian North and into Russia is growing. With warming winters and warmer summers they have more ground than ice. It’s up for debate and observation to determine whether this is good or not. Some say it’s not good since they will be depleting the Northern grounds much faster. Others say it’s good because they can increase in numbers.
Speaking of their increased numbers - the snow geese are one of the rare species who are increasing in population. Hunters are working to control these numbers with annual hunts. The majority of the hunting aims to hunt the adult population to prevent overbreeding. However, in certain areas of the world spring time “light” hunting is also permitted, without limit, to prevent their population growth as much as possible.
And as we’re thinking their population is increasing, this year they’re struck by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and are dying in record numbers. It is common to see multiple dead snow geese, gulls, and ducks in the fields. If you see any, don’t touch them.
The Western snow geese tend to be the Lesser snow geese - in these populations the darker coloring indicate the youg, adults are all white all year long. It’s rare to have a “Blue goose” in Western Washington.
So much more to say about these avians, so little time. Thankfully, we’ll be posting again later. Check back soon and please get in touch with us for any questions, comments, or feedback.
Happy birding!
