Snow geese mass migration creates wave-like takeoff spectacle near Seattle
Thousands of Arctic snow geese take flight in coordinated waves from Skagit Valley wintering grounds.
What to know
- Thousands of snow geese departing Skagit Valley wintering grounds coordinated their takeoff in successive, wave-like patterns.
- The birds achieved synchronized flight without any apparent external control mechanism, prompting observers to wonder how they coordinate.
- The video has resonated widely, with commenters expressing awe at the natural phenomenon and its display of animal coordination.
The geese's coordination is remarkable and demonstrates sophisticated animal intelligence.
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“Like a murmuration! How do they coordinate?”
ariaal.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Witnessing such migrations is emotionally moving and a reminder of nature's beauty and wonder.
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“This is one those small glimmers I look for through the day, to remind myself of how wonderful life is”
harpen1.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Many have experienced similar migrations in their own regions, connecting the video to personal encounters.
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“I witnessed a takeoff like this, of cranes, at Bosque Del Apache! It's astonishing!”
rvroomie.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Snow geese population, Skagit Valley Subject of video and observation
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump postscomments
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Social media users marvel at the coordinated takeoff
Comments across Bluesky express amazement at how the geese coordinate their simultaneous departure without apparent air traffic control, with users comparing the phenomenon to murmurations and noting the birds' seeming ability to wait their turn.
“Heavy, noisy air traffic, operating without air traffic control, yet somehow, no accidents.”
— swalexander.bsky.social -
Who does air traffic control on these guys? Amazing!
2 more of the top 3 · 125 posts in this stretch
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I witnessed a takeoff like this, of cranes, at Bosque Del Apache! It’s astonishing!
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What a magnificent display of nature!! Amazing beauty 😍
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Snow geese flock takes flight in waves from Skagit Valley
A massive flock of snow geese migrating from the Arctic to winter grounds in Skagit Valley near Seattle was captured taking off in successive waves, with the birds coordinating their departure in an orderly, wave-like pattern.
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A massive flock of snow geese, who have come from the Arctic to spend the winter in the Skagit Valley near Seattle, gradually taking flight like waves: #AGoodPlace Source:
2 more of the top 3 · 5 posts in this stretch
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....and just as the last wave takes off, in charges my Ananda, joyful and exuberant, laughing her dog laugh at making them all fly.
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If they cross Canada don't tell Trump😂🤣
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What people are saying 18 voices from 1 site · best of 130 · verbatim
- Sep 16
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Like a murmuration! How do they coordinate?
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They are smart enough to pull together as one enormous unit.
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Nature really knows how to put on a show. Watching thousands of snow geese take flight like waves must be absolutely breathtaking.
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Another fine example of why I stay in the Pacific Northwest
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It's like an Escher drawing. Amazing to see nature being nature.
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This is why it is prudent to feed the birds. Feed them a lot.
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And they leave fertilizer for the Tulip festival in the spring. 🌷
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Indians call them Sunapee. There are flocks of them already here in New Hampshire getting ready to go south for the winter.
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Must have been incredible to witness in person.
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If only Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock was here to witness this he’d surely revive his 1963 thriller “The Birds”. 😍
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S
Loved seeing them come in when we lived up there. 😊
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Mexican free tailed bats of the Congress Ave Bridge in Austin TX. It's really cool seeing them emerge around sunset.
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They fly soooo high. Out here in the country you can hear a flock passing over, clear as a bell, and spend two minutes scanning the sky before you spot them.
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To be amongst these creatures stops your heart. I use to go to Delaware to see them on the bays.
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Oh, that's a glorious gaggle of geese🪿🪿🪿
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Absolutely amazing. Thank you for sharing.😍
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I love how they all seem to wait for their turn to take off!
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I love these visitors! Heavy, noisy air traffic, operating without air traffic control, yet somehow, no accidents.