Bombay Hook Snow Goose Migration

About this spectacle

Each winter, vast flocks of snow geese descend on Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware, transforming the marshes and impoundments into a shifting white carpet of birds. Visitors standing along the dike roads watch as tens of thousands of geese lift off in thunderous, swirling clouds — a phenomenon known as a 'blast-off' — filling the sky with beating wings and an almost deafening chorus of calls. The salt marshes, freshwater pools, and tidal flats provide critical stopover habitat along the Atlantic Flyway. Beyond snow geese, the refuge draws tundra swans and numerous dabbling ducks in the same season, layering spectacle upon spectacle. Morning light turns the flocks gold as they feed across open water, and at dusk the birds settle back in dense rafts. The flat, open landscape offers long sightlines ideal for binoculars and telephoto lenses, making this one of the East Coast's premier waterfowl spectacles.

When to go

Jan — Dec, peak Nov — Feb

Getting there

Nearest airport: PHL. Nearest city: Dover.

Booking options

Goyova doesn't process bookings directly. When you tap "Plan this trip" in the app, you'll see options from our partner providers — accommodation, tours, transport — with affiliate links where applicable. See our affiliate disclosure for details.