Snow Goose Migration at Middle Creek Wildlife Refuge
“The Snow Goose Migration follows the spring thaw. Now the Snow Geese are headed north toward the Arctic Circle,” says Craig George, your Innkeeper and a longtimebirder. “Migration is the struggle for survival,” he adds, “and this week, Middle Creek Wildlife Refuge, only a short drive from Annville Inn Bed & Breakfast, is teeming with Snow Geese, Tundra Swans and Eagles.” This past week, the Snow Goose count at Middle Creek was over 60,000. Astonishingly, those almost all came in one day. They had been held up further south due to weather, and when they saw a chance to “make a break for it,” they flew up to Middle Creek. Some yearly Snow Goose counts have eclipsed 200,000!
Easy drive from Annville Inn B&B
Annville Inn’s Guests can easily make a short trip to the lake at Middle Creek either before dawn (and before breakfast) or later in the morning (after breakfast) to witness a stunning miracle of nature.
Lake Covered in White
“The lake is covered in white, it looks like snow,” George said. “At some point—nobody can exactly predict it—one goose takes for the sky, and others follow close behind. Itlooks like the surface of the lake is being pulled skyward. The birds create an upside-down helix, slowly spinning, rising, and like a white tornado the white “surface” of thelake lifts skyward until the sky above you is all white and then, they disperse to farmfields in our lush Lebanon Valley for the day, feeding.”
Miracle of Nature
Snow Goose migration is amazing to watch. Moreover, if you go out in the evening, you will witness them returning to the lake to spend the night. You’ll see them coming in for their two-point landings, splash-splash-splash!
Livestream!
Can’t make it out to the lake? How about watching from the comfort of your Guest room at Annville Inn, or in our Theater? Here is how: livestream from Willow Point at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster County. Brought to you by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and HDOnTap. The best times to view snow geese on the lake are sunrise (before they leave to feed in neighboring fields) and sunset (as they return from feeding to roost). Other species of waterfowl including tundra swans,
Canada geese, and many species of ducks can be viewed throughout the day. You may also catch the Snow Goose Migration at local watering holes. Many sports bars have at least a few televisions tuned in to the live stream!
Check Out the Visitor’s Center
The Visitor’s Center is one mile south from Willow Point, the spot on the lake many birders
go to for best bird viewing. The Visitors Center displays a variety of bird and mammal
species, interactive displays, windows, and binoculars to watch songbirds. A new
highlight is the Conservation Heritage Museum located at the Visitor’s Center.
Middle Creek also features nearly a dozen hiking trails and other wildlife viewing
opportunities during this early spring season. Besides snow geese, many other large
migrating species will also be gracing the water and fields, such as tundra swans,
Canada geese, and many species of ducks. Keep a watch out for a Bald Eagle. Many
Eagles keep a keen eye on Middle Creek, never one to miss out on a tasty meal!
Enjoy your stay here at Hershey’s Five Star Annville Inn, famous for
- Rosalie’s breakfasts and hospitality
- Our quiet country elegance
- Amazing views…
And more amenities than most inns:
- Full sized in-ground swimming pool
- Six-person hot tub
- 20-seat movie theatre with Dolby 7.1 Surround just like at the “movies”
- Plant conservatory glassed in on all sides with a wood burning fireplace for winter
- Three acres of botanical gardens with over 600 roses and 10,000 bulbs.
- Large game room with pool table
- Three dining areas for breakfast,
- Jacuzzis in Guest Rooms,
- Most rooms with private entrances and decks
- Fireplaces in all rooms
- King and queen beds throughout
- …and much more to enjoy at Annville Inn!
