For many, Washington’s flocks of winter snow geese are a favorite spectacle. While these birds come here every year, they never fail to amaze. Why? Because they come to western Washington’s greater Skagit Delta by the tens of thousands! When these flocks take off en masse—say, because a bald eagle flies overhead—they are so noisy and dizzying to behold that it’s easy to lose one's balance.
Our snow geese spend their summers on Wrangel Island in Russia. From there they travel approximately 3,000 miles to the Stillaguamish and Skagit river deltas, where they begin to arrive in late September.
Worldwide, snow geese were reduced to only a few thousand around 1900. But they’ve made a remarkable comeback and now are one of the most abundant waterfowl in the world. They’ve been so successful, in fact, that in some areas they are starting to destroy their own habitat as they tear vegetation out of the ground to eat.
You can check out these amazing birds and more at the annual Port Susan Snow Goose & Birding Festival in February. The website has lots of information about the festival, special events, exploring the area—and, of course, snow geese.
You can also learn more about snow geese on Seattle Audubon’s BirdWeb.
We Can’t Save Nature Without You
Sign up to receive monthly conservation news and updates from Washington. Get a preview of Washington's Nature News email.
You May Also Like
What Threatens Our Salmon?
Salmon are iconic symbols of the Pacific Northwest’s natural vitality, yet they face a myriad of threats. Go below the surface on how we’re protecting salmon with science, partnerships and policy.
Nature Photos
In Washington, our identity is shaped by rich resources and natural beauty. These photo essays celebrate our diverse connections to nature and the moments that speak to traditions while revealing our future.
Urban Trees and Climate Change
Climate change is already impacting our cities and towns in the Puget Sound– with increased extreme rain events and flooding, hotter summers, denser air pollution and more. Urban trees are a tool for fighting and adapting to climate change.