National Park P.O. Drawer 170 Grand Teton Moose, Wyoming 83012 John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway 307 739-3300 Bird-Finding Guide rand Teton National Park and the John D. G Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway encompass a range of habitats, from alpine meadows to sage- brush flats, from lodgepole pine forests to mountain streams. Birds use habitats that meet their needs for food, water, shelter and nest sites. Some birds fre- quent only one habitat type while others occupy a variety of habitats. This guide will acquaint you with some habitat types of the park and parkway as well as specific locations to look for birds. Use it in con- junction with the park map and the various bird identification books available at any of our vistor centers. Please report any sightings of birds listed as rare or accidental on the bird checklist. Great Blue Heron Habitat Types Bird-Watching Etiquette Lodgepole Pine Forests conditions existing where sagebrush Enjoy birds but be a responsible Lodgepole pine grows in dense forests grows, some species flourish. Look for covering much of the valley and the lower sage grouse, vesper sparrows, Brewer’s birder. slopes of the mountains. Expect olive- sparrows and sage thrashers. sided flycatchers, yellow-rumped warblers, ✔ Nesting birds of all species are ruby-crowned kinglets, mountain chicka- Alpine easily disturbed. If an adult on a nest dees, white-crowned and chipping spar- Above 10,000 feet, severe conditions limit flies off at your approach or circles rows and dark-eyed juncos (especially in vegetation to low-growing forms. Birds you or screams in alarm, you are too developed areas within lodgepole forests that nest above treeline migrate south or such as Colter Bay). to lower elevations for winter. Watch for close to the nest. Unattended nest- golden eagles, Clark’s nutcrackers, rosy lings readily succumb to predation or Aspens finches, white-crowned sparrows and exposure to heat, cold and wet Aspens occur chiefly in pure stands, often water pipits. weather. on hillsides. Many of the aspen stands in the park and parkway have rotting trunks Aquatic and Riparian ✔ that attract numerous woodpeckers. Saw- Numerous rivers, creeks, lakes and ponds Good birding areas often attract whet owls, house wrens, mountain and provide habitats where Canada geese other wildlife. Maintain a safe dis- black-capped chickadees, tree swallows and other waterfowl nest and osprey and tance (300 feet) from large animals and violet-green swallows nest in old bald eagles hunt for fish. Common snipe, such as moose, bears and bison. Do woodpecker cavities. white-crowned and Lincoln sparrows, not position yourself between a yellow and MacGillivray's warblers and female and her offspring. Sagebrush Flats common yellowthroats nest and forage in Sagebrush covers most of the valley adjacent wet meadows. American dippers called Jackson Hole. Despite the hot dry search for insects in fast-moving streams. GRTE - 2/00 Birding Hot Spots Cassin's finches and other songbirds glacial moraine where mixed conifers and Grand View Point. abound in the open coniferous forests and aspens grow. Because the trail follows a Old growth Douglas firs support aspen stands surrounding the lake. small creek, expect abundant birdlife. Williamson’s sapsuckers, red-naped Look for western tanagers, MacGillivray’s sapsuckers and other woodpeckers. Cascade Canyon. warblers, northern flickers, Lazuli bun- Common songbirds include mountain tings, ruby-crowned kinglets and green- Glaciers gouged out Cascade Canyon tailed towhees. Listen for the sweet songs chickadees, red-breasted nuthatches, thousands of years ago. Today Cascade dark-eyed juncos, western tanagers and of hermit and Swainson’s thrushes. Creek carries melted snow through conifer Calliope and broad-tailed hummingbirds Townsend’s solitaires. Blue grouse and forests and meadows of wildflowers, while feed on scarlet gilia below the overlook. ruffed grouse nest here. At the summit, the Teton peaks tower above. American look up for red-tailed hawks, white dippers frequent Cascade Creek near pelicans and other soaring birds. Hidden Falls. Western tanagers, ruby- Blacktail Ponds Overlook crowned kinglets and yellow-rumped Christian Pond This overlook is just north of Moose warblers nest near the trail. Also look for Junction and is situated at the transition of Several species of waterfowl nest here. golden eagles, Steller’s jays, gray jays, three different plant communities: Sage- Look for ruddy ducks, ring-necked ducks, golden-crowned kinglets, dark-eyed brush flats, the coniferous forest of American wigeon and American coots. juncos and occasional Townsend's Blacktail Butte, and the willow and cotton- Trumpeter swans occasionally nest on the warblers. Secretive harlequin ducks wood lined wetlands of the Snake River pond. Because human presence inter- sometimes nest along the creek. flood plane. Looking down on the wet- feres with the swans’ nesting effort, lands from the overlook gives you a great remain on the trail on the west side of Taggart Lake Trail vantage point to observe waterfowl such as American wigeons, blue-winged teal, the pond, at least 300 feet from the In 1985 a lightning-caused forest fire mallards, and goldeneyes. Up to six edge of the pond, and obey all posted burned most of the trees on the glacial species of swallows can also be seen at closures. moraine surrounding Taggart Lake. eye level as they skillfully fly through the Insects feeding on the decaying trees air catching insects. Raptors such as bald Willow Flats attract woodpeckers. Look for black- eagles and osprey can be seen in the high backed and three-toed woodpeckers. Extensive willow thickets merge with wet cottonwoods. Strewn through out the Abundant insects also attract mountain grassy meadows. Small creeks and willows, yellow warblers, song sparrows bluebirds, tree swallows, olive-sided and beaver ponds provide riparian and aquatic and willow flycatchers among others can dusky flycatchers, western wood-pewees habitats. Look for cinnamon teal, green- be seen and heard. An occasional green- and yellow-rumped warblers. Calliope winged teal and American wigeon in tailed towhee flutters through the sage- hummingbirds frequently perch in willows ponds and creeks. Sandhill cranes, brush near the overlook and evening near the base of the moraine. northern harriers, American bitterns, grosbeaks visit from the forest. common snipes and soras nest here. Calliope hummingbirds feed on scarlet Antelope Flats – Kelly Road. Partners in Flight gilia growing near Jackson Lake Lodge. Large hayfields attract raptors that search Red-naped sapsuckers and other wood- the fields for abundant small rodents. Look Migratory Bird Conservation Program peckers abound. Frequently seen song- for American kestrels, prairie falcons, red- birds include willow flycatchers, cliff Most of the birds found in the park and tailed hawks, Swainson’s hawks and swallows, yellow warblers, MacGillivray’s parkway are migratory, spending only 3-6 northern harriers. Check fence posts for warblers, common yellowthroats, Wilson’s months here each year. Migratory birds western meadowlarks, western and warblers, fox sparrows, white-crowned are protected while they nest in national eastern kingbirds and mountain bluebirds. sparrows, pine siskins and yellow-headed parks, but may lose safe nesting sites on Scan irrigated pastures for long-billed blackbirds. Lazuli buntings and green- other lands due to human activities. curlews and savannah sparrows. tailed towhees use the drier hillsides Migratory birds also face numerous perils adjacent to Willow Flats. on their long journeys to and from winter- Menor's Ferry at Moose ing grounds. Human-caused habitat changes fragment forests and remove Oxbow Bend Follow the self-guiding trail to home- safe feeding and roosting areas in migra- steader cabins along the Snake River. A slow-moving, cut-off meander of the tion corridors. Birds that migrate to the Bird life abounds due to riparian habitat. Snake River, Oxbow Bend supports lush tropics may lose their winter range due to Violet-green, tree, cliff and barn swallows underwater plant growth and abundant deforestation. scoop insects out of the air as western fish, food for aquatic birds. Great blue wood-pewees, dusky flycatchers and herons and osprey nest here. White Birdwatchers and scientists alike have mountain bluebirds hawk for flying insects. pelicans, double-crested cormorants, become concerned about the future of Yellow warblers glean insects from common mergansers and bald eagles fish migratory birds. Show your concern by cottonwood trees and willow and silver- in the shallow water. Because of Oxbow enjoying birds in your backyard and in berry shrubs lining the Snake River. Bend’s proximity to Willow Flats, the your travels! Assist scientists to measure Calliope, broad-tailed and rufous hum- birdlife is quite similar. bird population changes by participating in mingbirds seek nectar from wildflowers. bird counts and surveys, such as Christ- Kingfishers, common mergansers, ospreys Two Ocean Lake mas Bird Counts, the North American and bald eagles catch fish in the river. Migration Count, and Breeding Bird Western grebes, trumpeter swans, Surveys. Find out about the Partners in common mergansers and occasional Phelps Lake Overlook Flight program in your home state. You common loons summer on the lake. can use your interest and knowledge of The trail to the overlook traverses a lateral Western tanagers, pine grosbeaks, birds to help assure their future!.