Snow Geese at Middle Creek

Seeing large numbers of anything is impressive. In a time in which much of the ecosystem is imperiled, observing an extraordinarily large number of snow geese wintering in rural Pennsylvania offers hope for the future of birds and animals. Nature is resilient, yet the lake at the Middle Creek Management Area, along the borders of Lancaster and Lebanon counties, were created when a dam was built in the 1970. The geese, which once used the east coast as navigation, have moved further inland as development has reduced feeding areas. The phenomenon of extraordinary numbers of birds gathering in central Pennsylvania is a reaction to human pursuits. 

Tundra Swans

In February the snow geese and tundra swans, as well as numerous humans, congregate at the wildlife management area near the small village of Stevens. People who have not walked any distance in quite some time, trudge a three-quarter mile path to see more than 100,000 snow geese occupying the reservoir. Slightly dwarfed by the showcase geese, families of tundra swan that nest in Alaska and northern Canada, gather and rest for a few days of rest on other parts of the reservoir lake. Although there are far more geese, the number of swans can reach an impressive 10,000 birds at a time. 

The close proximity to so many birds is humbling. It is almost as if the geese are nearly tame, yet they are not exactly ready to cozy up to people.  Even a small toddler, rambunctious and reckless as he is, gets remarkably close to the geese scouring the grass. The geese are not easily spooked but mosey off if humans (or dogs) venture too close.

What photographs, and even videos, cannot capture is the sound of a multitude of birds simultaneously calling. Even from across the lake, the sound ebbs and flows, like a wave that alerts us to the presence of nature. Watching the intricate motions of collective of geese, much like a murmuration of starlings, is compelling. Are eyes deceive us to pay attention to the whole, while missing the actions of the individual.