Spring is just around the corner: First geese seen at Clearwater Lake
Published Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Members of the Chaffin family in Delta Junction have keen eyes and the reputation of spying the first geese heading north into the Interior each spring. This year was no exception.
Thirteen-year-old Brittany Chaffin came in from playing outside late Tuesday afternoon to report to her grandmother, Darlene “Goosewatcher” Chaffin, that she had spotted eight to 10 geese taking off from Clearwater Lake.
“We’re always watching,” Darlene said. “I hate to even leave the house because I might miss it.”
The Chaffins do have an advantage, they live right on the lake, which they said is almost free of ice.
“It’s right in our front yard,” Darlene said. “I’ve seen geese arrive as early as March 31.”
The geese usually arrive at Creamer's Field in Fairbanks about a week after they're first spotted at Clearwater Lake.
This past winter, the Chaffins also spied a pair of swans wintering at Clearwater Lake.
It’s not the first time swans have over-wintered, said Darlene, who has lived on the lake shore since 1970. Because it is spring-fed, a portion of the lake remains ice-free.
“The other time was about four or five years ago,” she said.
Comments
How kewl!!! :) I know talking to email friends in the Lower 48 that some have mentioned the geese and cranes and swans gathering up in huge flocks.. so it has given me visuals of them working their way up to Alaska once again ... can't wait to see some for myself and hear them. Always a wonderful blessing!
KO
Yeah!!!! Spring is here for sure!!!
I love seeing the geese & am looking forward to spring. Thanks for the heads up!
Migration is facinating.
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