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Post by 3212 on Jan 27, 2017 17:50:29 GMT -5
I took my wife to Hershey Medical center today.At 1:00 pm just east of Hershey on rte 322 I saw a large flock of snow geese landing in a field.An hour and a half later on the return trip two large fields were covered in white with more coming in.
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Post by Goosehunter on Jan 29, 2017 20:36:02 GMT -5
Heard some snows were stating to arrive at Middle Creek as well.
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Post by Dutch on Jan 29, 2017 20:51:56 GMT -5
Ok, they heading north already? Or still heading south?
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Post by 3212 on Jan 29, 2017 21:22:05 GMT -5
When does Snow goose season end?
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Post by Goosehunter on Jan 31, 2017 19:02:09 GMT -5
MC is a Staging Area for the snows on their way back North, so yes it's Northward movement. The Conservation Snow Goose season runs till April 21st 2017.
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Post by Dutch on Jan 31, 2017 20:26:49 GMT -5
Moosemike texted me today with a video of all the snows at MC.
Just seems early?
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Post by Goosehunter on Feb 1, 2017 8:00:04 GMT -5
"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, 10,00 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." Mr Binder always did the migration update, so when he retired I wondered if the new girl, Lauren would take over. Not to worry she's on the job! "These updates are submitted by Lauren Fenstermacher, Middle Creek manager." MC Migration Update
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Post by Goosehunter on Feb 1, 2017 15:35:00 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 20:28:26 GMT -5
lol, tell them to wait until next weekend.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 1, 2017 20:32:22 GMT -5
She updated it and said there were 50,000 by noon today.
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Post by Goosehunter on Feb 1, 2017 20:54:59 GMT -5
Lauren did make her 1st post on the snow goose numbers and it's a whopper of an estimate! Waterfowl Migration Update ADVISORY: Please note that these numbers are estimates and subject to rapid and dramatic change. These updates are submitted by Lauren Fenstermacher, Middle Creek manager. Migration Update (2/1/2017): Numbers on the first day of February numbered around 15,000 snow geese including 2,000 tundra swans. However, as the day went on, more and more snow geese continued to dump into Middle Creek pushing the numbers higher and higher (by noon, the numbers were around 50,000). This is a perfect example how their numbers are so difficult to track. They fluctuate easily especially during a mild winter when the lake is mostly unfrozen and the fields are snow free. Please note that we will update this page as often as possible but numbers can change within minutes or hours of the last update. Thank you for your patience and we hope that you come to Middle Creek to enjoy the magnificent snow goose migration. Waterfowl Migration Update
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Post by 3212 on Feb 1, 2017 21:27:58 GMT -5
I think I see a blue phase goose in the first picture.Near the front of the flock.
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Post by davet on Feb 2, 2017 10:20:27 GMT -5
Snow geese soup, snow geese sandwiches, snow geese pie, snow geese pudding, snow geese on a stick.......so many ways to eat snow geese!!!!
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Post by Goosehunter on Feb 15, 2017 7:40:18 GMT -5
Migration Update (2/14/2017): Wow! 70,000 snow geese are upon us at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. If you were waiting for the numbers to peak to come to the area, this weekend may be the time you want to be here. While it’s hard to say the numbers will stay here, we could be at our peak for the season. Hope to see you at Middle Creek soon!
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Post by fleroo on Feb 15, 2017 8:55:44 GMT -5
Forgive me, as I stopped fowling over 2 decades ago, and never at MC. But, what is the significance of Snow Geese, and their numbers at MC ? Is it a bounce-back of sorts from low numbers ?
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Post by Dutch on Feb 15, 2017 9:25:56 GMT -5
Its just a sight for the general public.
Hoping to rent a wheelchair this week then take my dad out Willow Point trail for a walk and ride thing. He will get a kick out of it and some exercise.
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Post by Goosehunter on Feb 16, 2017 8:22:34 GMT -5
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Post by Goosehunter on Feb 16, 2017 8:29:59 GMT -5
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Post by Dutch on Feb 16, 2017 11:03:06 GMT -5
I'm gonna send an email to Dave Mitchell and see if they are considering opening the interior roads early so people can get a better view of the birds.
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Post by Goosehunter on Feb 16, 2017 16:56:16 GMT -5
I've been beating that drum for many years now, the response has been the same. They don't wanna interfere with the migrating birds. Let me know what Dave has to say.
In my opinion there is no reason the roads need to be closed during the Northward migration. Them Snows seem to adjust to all the Visitors with no problems.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 16, 2017 19:37:02 GMT -5
I think one reason they don't want people back those roads early is the traffic might effect the roads during freezing and thawing.
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Post by Goosehunter on Feb 17, 2017 14:37:51 GMT -5
Lauren must of got your email. "Migration Update (2/17/2017): Cold weather that freezes parts of our lake means less birds. The count this morning was approximately 50,000 snow geese and 2,500 tundra swans. Warm weather this weekend will most likely bring the numbers back for a time before they venture north. Just a helpful hint for folks that are looking to make the drive: If you have the availability, come see Middle Creek during the week. You can avoid the large crowds but still enjoy the views that the waterfowl migrations bring. Many of you have asked about the tour road being opened early or when will it open. The tour road will open on March 1st as in previous years. This is a sensitive time of year for many species of wildlife in addition to our roosting waterfowl so the road will remained closed until March 1st. If you come to visit us, please respect the wildlife and pay special attention to the signs that mark our controlled and propagation areas. These areas are closed to the public for the safety of our visitors and also our wildlife. Drones are not permitted at Middle Creek. We hope you can stop by soon to enjoy the awesome views the snow geese and other wildlife provide."
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Post by Dutch on Feb 17, 2017 22:06:39 GMT -5
Got the same from Dave. I think it's BS, personally. The tour road being open hurts no wildlife.
BTW, Dave will be there Sunday, 12-5, I think he said.
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Post by Goosehunter on Feb 18, 2017 8:13:03 GMT -5
So, here's the reason cited for the Tour Road being closed.
"The tour road will open on March 1st as in previous years. This is a sensitive time of year for many species of wildlife in addition to our roosting waterfowl so the road will remained closed until March 1st."
Most all the Waterfowl Roost on the Big Lake and most of the lake is far from the Tour Road, there's no way the Visitors interfere with the Roosting on the lake. Matter of fact there is one small stretch of the lake that borders the main road, you should see all the Visitors parked there and checking out the Waterfowl just on the other side of the fence. Waterfowl know their safe zones and Waterfowl will push it to the last yard available to them.
Here's the real reason the road stays closed and I have to say it's a good reason.
"If you come to visit us, please respect the wildlife and pay special attention to the signs that mark our controlled and propagation areas. These areas are closed to the public for the safety of our visitors and also our wildlife."
There are many Visitors that pay no attention to the Signs saying "Do Not Enter." I call them the Camera People. Not all Camera People are guilty of this but some of these folks know no limits when it comes to walking under the fence or right past the MANY signs that are posted along the road, just to get that close-up pic. Guess you could call it trespassing but that can never be enforced. When the Tour road is opened the problem is compounded a 1000 times over. Add to that some of the Camera People speak no English as they are from other Countries. So once again the actions of a few affect the privileges of the masses.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 18, 2017 9:23:27 GMT -5
Couple years ago, had dad up there one evening, on the tour roads, THOUSANDS of the geese along the wire, along the tour road. They were uniformly about 10 yds in from the wire. They knew their own "safety zone". People right on the wire. The geese were fine, the people were fine.
Unless it's a freeze/ thaw issue for the roads, and they do have that problem there, open the gates. Nothing is being harmed one bit.
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