Snow Geese Flock to Skagit County Washington, Mesmerizing Locals and Tourists

Fir Island, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest, is located in Skagit County, just north of Mount Vernon. It is a migration path for thousands of snow geese annually and is popular with birdwatchers and nature lovers.

It’s a great little travel outing to enjoy from November through March at a time of year that can be dreary.

Thousands of these beautiful birds converge on the island, creating a stunning white sea of feathers.

Trumpeter swans are also found here, but not in such great numbers as the snow geese. Be sure to bring binoculars and a camera!

Towards the end of the article, I’ll post a photo I took and tell you of what I experienced when a flock of THOUSANDS was near me. It's something I’ll never forget.

The Migration of Snow Geese

The migration of snow geese is a remarkable natural phenomenon every year. These graceful birds travel thousands of miles from their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra to their wintering grounds.

Fir Island, Washington, is one of their favorite places to stay for the winter and early spring months.

The migration usually begins in late fall, with the first wave of snow geese arriving in Fir Island around November. They feast on the abundant food sources surrounding farm fields and wetlands.

The sheer number of snow geese that gather on Fir Island gives credit to the importance of this habitat for their survival. It is also popular for people to view them, with many making a yearly tradition of spending a day outing there.

The sight of the geese taking off and landing en masse is breathtaking. Their honking fills the air. It’s a sight that will leave a lasting impression on anyone fortunate enough to experience it.

Other Wildlife and Bird Species at Fir Island

While the snow geese are the show's stars, Fir Island is home to many other bird species and wildlife.

Trumpeter swans can also be found. One way to tell the difference is that trumpeters are usually in pairs and in smaller flocks.

Snow geese have black tips on their wings in flight, while trumpeters don’t. The trumpeters are larger, and their necks stick straight out when flying.

Birdwatchers will be delighted to spot other bird species, including bald eagles, great blue herons, sandhill cranes, and waterfowl.

The Skagit River estuary, which borders Fir Island, is a critical habitat for migratory birds, making it a prime location for birdwatching.

Exploring the island’s trails and wetland areas may bring you closer to other local animals along the shore and offer a nice walk.

Exploring the Skagit Valley Wildlife Area

Fir Island is located within the larger Skagit Valley Wildlife Area, a protected area covering over 16,000 acres.

The Skagit Valley Wildlife Area offers numerous areas for outdoor exploration and recreation and parking areas free of charge.

You may have to drive around the rural farmland roads until you see where the snow geese are that day. They stay in the Fir Island area but move to different fields.

The area is also intersected by the Skagit River, famous for its salmon runs. During the fall, thousands of salmon swim upstream to spawn, attracting predators such as bald eagles and seals.

One day, I was on Fir Island taking photos of the snow geese. The picture above is what I took that day.

Some hunters in the back of this flock startled them, and, as you can see, they all took off airborne. This entire flock then flew over my head. There were so many of them it sounded like thunder. Nearly deafening.

I was shooting away with my camera, and I looked at my car behind me once they passed. It looked like cows had flown over my vehicle and released cow patties. Somehow, not one hit me.

It’s a memory I’ll never forget. It was an encounter with nature.

Snow Goose Festival

Mount Vernon, Washington, hosts a snow goose festival in February yearly.

Their website is here for more information about it.

One recommendation when seeing the snowbirds of Fir Island is to take a 20-minute drive to charming LaConner and grab a cup of clam chowder to warm up.

La Conner, Washington, is a popular little hot tourist spot with many unique shops and restaurants on the channel.

I’d love to hear your comments and if you have ever been to this area to see these birds.

By Val Garner — all rights reserved.

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Check out this curated list of other fun things to do in the Pacific Northwest:

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Book Recommendation: Washington Travel Journal: Washington Bucket List Memory Book of Adventures

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