
The annual snow geese migration at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area on March 3, 2022
Jeremy Long / WITF
The annual snow geese migration at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area on March 3, 2022
Jeremy Long / WITF
Jeremy Long / WITF
The annual snow geese migration at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area on March 3, 2022
The Pennsylvania Game Commission plans to close parts of Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area today as bird flu continues to spread.
“Due to highly pathogenic avian influenza that is currently affecting many parts of the state, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is closing some areas to public access at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area,” the Game Commission said in a statement.
The closure comes at a time when Middle Creek is preparing for the annual snow geese migration that brings tens of thousands of snow geese — and hundreds of bird watchers — to the area each year.
At the migration’s highest point last year, Feb. 24, Middle Creek staff estimated 70,000 snow geese rested in the waterways and hills of the 6,000-acre sanctuary.
The following areas will be closed to the public.
Willow Point parking lot and trail
Archery range
Boat launch
White Oak picnic area
All shoreline access to the lake, including fishing
Hiking trails and the visitor center remain open during regular business hours, and all events will take place as scheduled.
Brian Collett, an environmental education specialist at Middle Creek, said the decision to close parts of the wildlife management area was made to limit contact between visitors and birds.
“The chief concern is to keep the flu as contained as possible,” Collett said.
Collett said few snow geese have arrived at Middle Creek so far this year, because much the water in the area remains frozen.
However, with migration expected to increase throughout the month and influenza found among snow geese populations in the state, the closure was made in order to limit the spread of the flu from migratory birds to domesticated populations.
“It’s been affecting snow geese more than other birds right now,” Collett said.
In January, the Game Commission determined that bird flu likely was the cause of death for 200 dead snow geese found in the Allentown area.
Last week, the Department of Agriculture confirmed the first cases of bird flu in domestic poultry in the state, when birds at a commercial poultry farm in Lehigh County tested positive.
The Game Commission has warned people with pet birds, backyard poultry or who work in the commercial poultry industry to not visit Middle Creek during this time.
“Wild waterfowl and shorebirds are considered natural reservoirs for avian influenza viruses,” Game Commission officials said in a statement last month.
The Game Commission said that while the bird flu does not appear to significantly impact wild bird populations, it could have the potential to significantly harm commercial bird populations if precautions are not taken.
Visitors to Middle Creek are encouraged to remain in their vehicles while observing wildlife from the roadways.
“We are just trying to keep some distance between the visitors and the birds for now,” Collett said.
Report sick or dead wild birds to the Game Commission by calling 1-833-742-9453.