FAIRBANKS -- The first geese of spring have arrived at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner says a flock of about 25 Canada geese landed at the refuge Monday morning. They were greeted by George Yaska of Fairbanks, who stood in the parking lot serenading the birds with a welcome song in Koyukon Athabascan.

Yaska, who was raised in Huslia, says greeting the first birds with a song is meant to celebrate their arrival.

The official arrival time for the geese was 8:11 a.m.

Refuge biologist Laura Boeck says this year's arrival of geese at Creamer's Field coincides with the average arrival date for the past five years. Last year, the geese showed up on April 7.