Vermont Feeds Migrating Waterfowl at Landing Spots

Vermont Fish and Wildlife is planting food sources and working with farmers to draw waterfowl during fall migration.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Bird Watching

Wide view of a wetland meadow at a forest edge, golden grain scattered on the ground as geese descend under soft autumn light. — Vermont Fish and Wildlife is planting food sources and working with farmers to feed waterfowl as snow geese shift their fall migration toward New York. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Vermont Fish and Wildlife plants food sources for migrating waterfowl across the state, and farmers provide additional food as birds pass through. The effort comes as snow geese have shifted their migration route away from Vermont toward New York.

Why it matters

Waterfowl burn a lot of calories on their long migration journey, so reliable food sources along the route are important to their survival. The state's food sites are designed to help birds that still pass through Vermont during the fall.

Vermont once received 20,000 or more snow geese annually during migration, but now receives only a few thousand. New York has more grain farming than Vermont, and waste grain from harvesting is a food source for migrating geese.

The players

Vermont Fish and Wildlife

The state agency responsible for managing wildlife and habitat in Vermont, including planting food sources for migrating waterfowl.

The details

Vermont Fish and Wildlife monitors waterfowl activity and food availability while providing a mixed diet at its food sites. Waste grain from harvesting also provides a food source for migrating birds, especially geese.

Fall migration season: waterfowl flock south for winter, stopping at Vermont food sites.

Travel Outlook

The seasonal timing of waterfowl migration determines when Vermont's food sites matter most. Birds that once stopped in large numbers now split their routes, changing where the state's landing spots serve as a critical stopover.

Residents who enjoy birdwatching can observe waterfowl at food sites across Vermont during fall migration. Farmers who harvest grain may find that leftover grain attracts migrating geese to their fields.

The takeaway

Watching fall migration in Vermont means paying attention to food sources, since waterfowl depend on them to fuel long journeys. Birders can track changing routes as snow geese shift toward New York.