Snow Geese of Pungo 2019

My husband and I have a fairly new tradition. Just after the first of the New Year, we look forward to the arrival of the Snow Geese in Pungo. It’s an annual event as thousands of these stunning white geese descend on Pungo farm fields to stock up on leftover corn, beans, and some winter wheat. They are preparing for a long flight back to their nesting grounds in the Arctic tundra of Canada and Alaska, a round trip of thousands of miles. This is truly an amazing wildlife spectacle and one that you don’t want to miss, as it happens in our own backyard! Again, these geese can number in the thousands and the sound is just glorious, especially if they take flight. This treat can last through the month of February.
The majority of the geese we see are white with black wing tips but there is also a gray form, sometimes called “Blue Goose.” Occasionally they are also mixed in with flocks of Canada Geese, but generally they stick with their own species.
How do you know where to go?
We start out on Princess Anne Road and head South, traveling to Knotts Island, if necessary. But, if you are lucky, you can encounter some flocks before that, some even right on Princess Anne Road. We have had our best luck at the intersection of Muddy Creek and Drum Point Rd., just before you make the turn into Winesett Nursery. We like late afternoon about an hour before sunset. But, there are some other hot spots including other fields on Muddy Creek Rd., Princess Anne Wildlife Management Area , Munden Rd., Morris Neck, Ships Cabin, to name a few. Just be careful about pulling over to watch as it is Pungo and well, there can be some traffic problems. If you fail on a few attempts, try the Charles Kuralt Trail overlook on Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge, just over the state line in North Carolina. Park at the overlook and look across the road to the water. The Snow Geese may be foraging there.We have also seen them up by the Back Bay Post Office and in the field by the Sandbridge Harris Teeter. We hope you get lucky like we have! It is truly an unforgettable sight!