Snow Geese Winter in Lower Mainland

From Wrangel Island in Siberia, across the Bering Strait to Alaska, and down the coast of British Columbia they fly. It is a yearly migration by thousands of Lesser Snow Geese. Traveling in families, they congregate in huge flocks on fields throughout the Fraser River estuary. 100,000 came along this route this year, and 20,000-40,000 birds will spend the winter in the Fraser River Estuary. They are a treat for enthusiasts of all types and ages.

Some will continue down the coast to California or Mexico, but due to loss of habitat, more and more families are spending their winters in the Fraser River Estuary. The sight of hundreds of these beauties taking to the sky as one is breathtaking, and the sound will echo through your head for days. The Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a main congregation site, and is one of the best vantage points for seeing the phenomenon that is the Snow Geese.

Keep an eye on the sky as you drive through Richmond, Delta, or Tsawwassen, and you will likely see the telltale glint of white as the sun reflects off the wings of families in flight. The flock is on the move most days, as it is necessary to move further inland than in previous years in order to feed the sheer amount of birds present.