Smart Talk: Middle Creek Wildlife Area’s annual Snow Goose Migration

• Merideth Bucher
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Producer of WITF's Smart Talk

 

Airdate: Friday, February 12, 2021

Each year during the cold winter months in central Pennsylvania something wonderful happens on a lake located in Lancaster and Lebanon County. Migrating birds numbering in the thousands stop-over at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management area on their way north to spring breeding grounds in the Arctic.

There are many factors determining the number and types of birds that make this stop, including snow and ice cover on the lake and grounds. When conditions are good, flocks of snow geese and tundra swans gather in huge numbers, creating a spectacle that draws nature lovers from around the region. 

Joe Monfort is the Environmental Education and Outreach coordinator at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and he joins Smart Talk Friday to provide an update on the annual migrations. (webcam here)

The big bird count is underway

The Great Backyard Bird Count begins Friday and runs through Monday, February 15. This is an annual event that asks for the public’s help to create a snapshot of bird activity in their area.

People are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes, or longer, on one or more days of the four-day event. Then, to report their sightings online at birdcount.org. Anyone can join the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your backyard, or anywhere you might be.

Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss the importance of the counts are Keith Russell, Urban Conservation Program Manager and Kelly McGinley, Network Engagement Manager, both with Audubon Pennsylvania.

Audubon Pennsylvania is hosting a Great Backyard Bird Count live event this weekend, visit here for more information.