To view thousands of wild geese, head soon to Delta-area reservoir

DELTA — It's a sight you have to see to believe: thousands of pure white snow and Ross' geese lifting off Gunnison Bend Reservoir amid honks and the beating of wings.

You can see this spectacle yourself on Feb. 20, 21 and 22 at the annual Utah Snow Goose Festival. The festival will be held at and near Gunnison Bend Reservoir, just west of Delta. Admission is free.

As many as 10,000 geese have been at the reservoir during past festivals. Except for the black tips on their wings, snow geese are pure white.

"We'll provide spotting scopes so you can get a close look at the geese," said Bob Walters, Watchable Wildlife coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "We'll also be happy to answer any questions you have."

In addition to seeing the geese, you can learn more about wildlife at free seminars offered by the DWR. The seminars will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Exhibits featuring arts and crafts and photography also will be available on Feb. 21.

The areas where you'll see the geese vary according to the time of day.

"If you arrive early in the morning, you can watch the geese feeding in fields that surround the reservoir. Then, at about 10:30 a.m., the geese take off and fly back to the reservoir. That's an exciting time to see and hear the geese," Walters said.

After landing on the reservoir, the geese usually spend the next few hours there. "Then, anywhere from 4 to 6 p.m., they'll take off again and fly back to the fields," he said. "To really appreciate that experience, you have to be there to see it and hear it."

DWR biologists will watch which fields the geese fly to. If you arrive after the geese have left the reservoir, the biologists will direct you to the fields where the geese are.

Here are some viewing tips:

Use binoculars or a spotting scope to view the geese. If you get too close to the geese, you could scare them away.

If you pull off the road to view the geese, pull as far off the road as you can. And watch for cars.

The weather conditions could be cold and wet. Bring the proper clothes so you stay warm and dry.

For more information about the 2009 Snow Goose Festival, call the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce at 435-864-4316.