Middle Creek visitors must change their plans this snow goose season

• Rachel McDevitt/StateImpact Pennsylvania
  BioRecent Stories

  

  I report on energy and the environment for StateImpact Pennsylvania at WITF.
  
  My work focuses on responses and solutions to climate change in the state legislature and communities around the state. I trace my interest in these issues back to my time as a Girl Scout and this episode of Rocko’s Modern Life.
  
  I look forward to winter just for the chance to ski a few times each season. I try to keep myself from doom-scrolling on my phone by keeping my hands busy knitting and learning to play the piano.
  
  I grew up in Cambria County, Pa. and graduated from Temple University. I started at WITF just after Christmas in 2014.

 Jeremy Long / WITF

Snow geese are shown during their annual migration at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area on March 3, 2022.

Birders are changing their plans to see the snow geese migration at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area now that the Game Commission has closed some areas to the public.

This week, the Game Commission said it would close several areas of the preserve to the public to prevent the spread of bird flu. That includes the Willow Point parking lot and trail, one of the most popular spots for viewing tens of thousands of snow geese as they make their way back north.

The Lancaster Bird Club is canceling its plans to operate a concession stand at Middle Creek. The club has sold snacks and refreshments during the height of the snow geese migration for the last several years as a fundraiser. Proceeds go to fill bird feeders at Middle Creek and support educational efforts, such as interpretive signs.

Club president Ted Nichols said this year the club will encourage its members and the public to “change your adventure” to Middle Creek.

The preserve is a “crown jewel of birding locations,” Nichols said, but it’s much more than snow geese. He said people can enjoy song birds found along the area’s many hiking trails, which remain open.

Nichols said the club is still planning to hold three events during the traditional snow goose season, but with a different focus. On Feb. 22, March 1 and March 8, the club will lead guided hikes through the preserve to introduce newcomers to the hobby of birding.

Nichols said he hopes the closure this year won’t change the level of support the club can give to Middle Creek. The club is still collecting donations at www.lancasterbirdclub.org. People who chose to give can select “Middle Creek Birdseed Fund.”

Decision to close

Brian Collett, an environmental education specialist with the Game Commission, said they made the decision mainly out of an abundance of caution.

Staff found a tundra swan that appeared to be affected by avian influenza, but confirmation of the disease takes several weeks. The lake is still mostly frozen, so only a small number of geese are congregating in Middle Creek, though more are flying over the area.

Bird flu has been found in areas around Middle Creek. The Game Commission found thousands of snow geese in the Lehigh Valley dead of suspected avian flu. It’s also been detected in commercial poultry flocks in Lancaster, Lehigh, Cumberland and Dauphin counties.

“It was better to just close things before we had a ton of geese here,” Collett said, “because once you do that, all of a sudden it might be too late. Things can change real rapidly, so you can end up with a lot of birds here in a very short amount of time.”

Collett said they decided to close areas where people have the greatest chance of coming into contact with bird droppings, which is how the disease spreads.

The visitor center will remain open. People who do visit are asked to stay in their cars to observe birds. There is also a live stream on the Middle Creek website so people can view snow geese from home.

Tourism hit

Joel Cliff, the director of communications & advocacy at Discover Lancaster, said the closure may impact the winter tourism season for the county.

Winter is typically the slowest season for tourists in Lancaster County. The height comes in summer and can stay strong through the fall harvest.

The nonprofit usually promotes the snow goose migration at Middle Creek in the winter. Now, Cliff said they are trying to make people aware of the new restrictions.

Cliff said it is disappointing for those who had planned to visit, but he understands the health concerns around the closure decision.

For those who still plan to visit Lancaster County this winter, Cliff said there are many other activities available. The Lititz Fire & Ice Festival is scheduled for Feb. 14 to 23. February is also a good time to visit a mud sale, an auction often held to benefit a volunteer fire company. Cliff also highlighted the active local theater and art scenes and the many breweries and coffee shops around the county.

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