Dead Creek, Wma, Addison, Vt

Several carloads of birders had pulled into the Viewing Area along Route 17 to scope the thousands of Greater Snow Geese, looking for their smaller cousin."Got a Ross' front and center at 150 feet and beyond the Barnacle!"came the cry.Later that month at the same spot, an incredulous group witnessed a large, long-winged bird nearly land with the geese, then fly slowly to the east towards the Green Mountains.Someone yelled, "That was a Northern Gannet!"Later that fall, two local birders were looking over these fields, now snowcovered and with few geese remaining, and spotted a Snowy Owl-with a darkmorph Gyrfalcon in hot pursuit!These events took place in the fall of 1996 at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area in Addison, Vermont, and illustrate the appeal of this Champlain Valley birding spot.One of sixty wildlife management areas administered by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Dead Creek consists of 2850 acres of marsh, woodlands, cultivated farmland, and dry fields.Located entirely within Addison County, Dead Creek itself flows north in three branches from Bridport for about 8 miles until the branches merge into a series of impoundments created to form the Dead Creek Waterfowl Area.This wetland extends north for another 9 miles until it joins Otter Creek west of the "city" of Vergennes.Bordered and crossed by numerous roads, most notably VT Route 17, and with several public access roads ending at the water's edge, the area can be birded easily by automobile.No formal trail system exists, but many areas are accessible for walking.It is also possible to canoe most of the Creek, allowing closer approach to wildlife.Generally, signs indicate areas off limits to vehicles or walking, or private land if posted, so the birder can assume that entry is permitted in any area without such signs.All of the Management Area is surrounded by private land, which may or may not be posted.Discretion should always be used when entering any area that looks private, but most Vermont land owners are birder-friendly and will give permission if asked.A retired University of Vermont professor.Bob Fuller, is credited with the creation of the Dead Creek WMA back in the 1950s.The area is managed primarily to enhance waterfowl breeding and resting.Hunting is allowed in certain areas, and fishing, wildlife study, and other forms of recreation are encouraged.At present, the State is preparing a broad-based management plan to accommodate Dead Creek's many uses, consumptive and non-consumptive alike.Interpretive displays, viewing areas, and raised platforms are either being planned or have been completed along Route 17 to provide the public easier access to the fall spectacle of Snow/Canada Goose migration stopover.

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