Creamer’s Field undergoes snow clearing in preparation for arriving migratory birds

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU) - In advance of the expected arrival of migratory waterfowl in the Interior, staff from Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) spent Thursday clearing snow out of Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks, creating landing strips for the coming birds.

According to Hailey Standish, Communications and Public Relations Specialist with FAI, this process happens every spring in order to give the incoming birds a more suitable place to land.

“Migratory birds near the airport pose a safety risk when airplanes are coming in and landing and when they’re taking off,” Standish explained.

A Larue Snow Blower and a Caterpillar grader worked to clear the area, revealing some green grass beneath the snow accumulated during the winter.

“I know Fairbanks really enjoys this tradition of watching migratory birds come in,” Standish said. “I think this is just, like, the starting point where people are starting to get really excited for springtime, especially after such a long, cold winter that we had.”

For her part, Standish said she is looking forward to seeing the warmer weather that accompanies spring.

Kiwanis Club of Fairbanks on Saturday morning followed up on the snow-clearing with an event where volunteers planted seeds across the field.

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