What is the annual goose banding event at Dead Creek Wildlife Area?

Each year since the 1960s, state scientists and volunteers have worked together to wrangle the grounded geese at Dead Creek and attach small metal bands to their legs, allowing them to track the nesting population.

When can visitors see the geese at Dead Creek Wildlife Area?

The snow goose and Canada goose migration at Dead Creek typically takes place from early October to mid-November, with the geese best viewed during the first and last hours of the day at the Route 17 viewing area.

How many geese visit Dead Creek Wildlife Area each year?

Thousands of snow geese and Canada geese visit the 3,000-acre Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area in Vermont every fall and spring, creating a stunning natural spectacle.

Home / Environment / Thousands of Geese Flock to Vermont's Dead Creek Wildlife Area

Thousands of Geese Flock to Vermont's Dead Creek Wildlife Area

3 Oct

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Summary

Thousands of snow geese and Canada geese visit Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area in Vermont every fall and spring.
Geese can be best viewed at the Route 17 viewing area during sunrise and sunset.
State scientists hold an annual event where volunteers help band the grounded geese.

Thousands of Geese Flock to Vermont's Dead Creek Wildlife Area

As of October 3rd, 2025, thousands of snow geese and Canada geese have once again flocked to Vermont's Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area, a 3,000-acre wildlife site located in the Champlain Valley. This annual migration, which takes place every October and November, is described as "one of the most magnificent gatherings of wildlife in North America" by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

The geese, which travel over 5,000 miles from the Arctic tundra to the American South, descend upon the wetlands and cornfields around Dead Creek to rest and refuel during their journey. Birdwatchers can get a front-row seat to this natural wonder by visiting the Route 17 viewing area, where the geese are best observed flying and feeding during the first and last hours of the day.

In addition to the stunning visual display, the Dead Creek area is also the site of an annual event where state scientists invite volunteers to help band the geese. Each year since the 1960s, biologists and members of the public have worked together to wrangle the geese that have molted their flying feathers and are stuck on the ground, attaching small metal bands to their legs to track the nesting population.

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