The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area

Vermont · Northeast

Easy
Habitat
WetlandGrasslandForest
Best Seasons
FallSpring
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

October-November, May-June

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Dead Creek WMA in the Champlain Valley is Vermont's premier birding destination, particularly famous for its fall Snow Goose staging. Thousands of Snow Geese gather in the agricultural fields and marshes from early October through November, drawing birders from across New England.

Beyond the goose spectacle, the area's mix of wetland, grassland, and agricultural habitats supports breeding Bobolinks, Upland Sandpipers, and Northern Harriers. The marsh areas host American Bitterns, Virginia Rails, and Soras during the breeding season.

Location

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Notable Species

Snow GooseBobolinkUpland SandpiperAmerican BitternNorthern Harrier

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

3/4/2026Lake Morey - Fairlee (547 acres)1 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/4/2026Vermont Center for Ecostudies Office1 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/4/2026Saxon Hill Recreational Area1 observed

Common x Barrow's Goldeneye (hybrid)

Bucephala clangula x islandica

3/4/2026Grand Isle Ferry Landing1 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/4/2026Okemo Mountain1 observed

Pine Grosbeak

Pinicola enucleator

3/4/2026Avian Exploration HQ3 observed

Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus

3/3/2026Whiting1 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/3/2026Okemo Mountain30 observed

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

3/3/2026Williams Terr, Bellows Falls US-VT 43.12844, -72.450552 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/2/2026Woods1 observed

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

3/2/2026Brattleboro Memorial Hospital2 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/2/2026Mount Snow2 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/2/2026Lake Morey - Fairlee (547 acres)1 observed

Pine Grosbeak

Pinicola enucleator

3/2/2026Avian Exploration HQ3 observed

Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus

3/1/2026Feeders 40 E Orchard Rd, Brattleboro US-VT 42.89858, -72.576791 observed

Mute Swan

Cygnus olor

3/1/2026Vernon Dam (Vermont)3 observed

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

3/1/2026Old Ferry Road Brattleboro2 observed

Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus

3/1/202632 Pleasant St, Saxtons River US-VT (43.1438,-72.5065)1 observed

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

3/1/202694 Griswold Ln, Orwell US-VT (43.8161,-73.2505)1 observed

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

3/1/2026Stonewood Farm, Griswold Lane1 observed

Recent Observations

Tufted Titmouse

Middlebury College

3/4/2026

1 birds

Wild Turkey

262 Canoe Brook Rd, E Dummerston

3/4/2026

6 birds

Common Raven

Home!

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Cardinal

Home!

3/4/2026

1 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Home!

3/4/2026

6 birds

White-breasted Nuthatch

Home!

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

Home!

3/4/2026

2 birds

Blue Jay

Home!

3/4/2026

1 birds

Pileated Woodpecker

Home!

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker

47 Huntley St, Norwich US-VT 43.71937, -72.31378

3/4/2026

1 birds

Rock Pigeon

47 Huntley St, Norwich US-VT 43.71937, -72.31378

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Goldfinch

47 Huntley St, Norwich US-VT 43.71937, -72.31378

3/4/2026

2 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

47 Huntley St, Norwich US-VT 43.71937, -72.31378

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-breasted Nuthatch

47 Huntley St, Norwich US-VT 43.71937, -72.31378

3/4/2026

1 birds

Eastern Bluebird

47 Huntley St, Norwich US-VT 43.71937, -72.31378

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Sparrow

Trinity

3/4/2026

4 birds

Evening Grosbeak

Moose Bog Trailhead Lot, Ferdinand, Vermont, US

3/4/2026

7 birds

Pine Siskin

Watershed Rd Bethel, vt

3/4/2026

1 birds

Cedar Waxwing

Watershed Rd Bethel, vt

3/4/2026

15 birds

American Tree Sparrow

Moose Bog Trailhead Lot, Ferdinand, Vermont, US

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    The Snow Goose festival in early October celebrates peak goose numbers — check for scheduled events

  2. 2

    Walk the dike trail at dawn in June for breeding marsh birds including rails and bitterns

Amenities

Parking

Nearby Attractions

  • Button Bay State Park
  • Lake Champlain

Birding Guides

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area for birding?▼
The best months to visit Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area for birding are October-November, May-June. The best seasons are Fall and Spring.
What birds can I see at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area?▼
Notable species at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area include Snow Goose, Bobolink, Upland Sandpiper, American Bittern, Northern Harrier. The area supports wetland, grassland, forest habitats.
How difficult is birding at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area?▼
Birding at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
Is there an entrance fee at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area?▼
There is no entrance fee at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.
What amenities are available at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area?▼
Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area offers the following amenities: Parking.