The birds are back in town

Migrating birds can now be seen at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.

Wildlife Biologist Mark Ross said, "This is one of the sure signs of spring in Fairbanks. We've got trumpeter swans on the field, and geese are due any day because there's at least 25 or more 100 miles south of here. So the geese should come in any day and we've already got four or more trumpeter swans here.”

Ross, who coordinates a bird watch education program at the refuge, said Creamer's Field is planning an “On Your Own” bird watch program this spring. “It’s going to be a little different format and we’re working on it right now, but we hope to get small groups out here to take in the splendor of migration and learn a little bit more about the refuge and spring and spring migration,” he said.

Ross has seen hundreds of people continue to come to the refuge for recreation, though he notes that everybody seems to have their own personal space.

“It won’t be until late in the month that we have thousands of birds here. But by the end of the month we should have a thousand Canada Geese, many thousands of ducks, and we might break a swan record this year,” Ross said.

“I really enjoy seeing spring develop, seeing animals come out of hibernation, seeing the birds come in and sharing it with the Fairbanks community,” he went on to say.