The Jackson area birding terrain is comprised of riparian, lakes, ponds and nearby marshes, sageflats and grasslands, forested foothills and moraines, mountain slopes, sub-alpine and town & settlement areas. Each lends itself to completely different experiences within the valley and nearby area.
When to Come & What to Wear
The best weather and time to watch birds is during late spring through summer (June-September). Even in the summer however, Jackson's weather can turn cold, rainy and generally nasty in the space of an afternoon.
Suggested Reading
By far and away the two best books on finding birds in the Jackson Hole area are:
- Finding the Birds of Jackson Hole by Bert Raynes and Darwin Wile
Chock full of information, from bird etiquette to bird lists, this book focuses around drive/bike loops and day hikes that cover a diverse terrain and difficulty level. A section is included on birds to look for, best bet were to find the species, and identifying confusing birds.
Buy on Amazon: The Birds of Jackson Hole: A bird finding guide
Other Organizations
Jackson Hole Bird Club
A group of amateur birders meets on the second Sunday of every month. Times and places are announced in a local newspaper. Visitors are welcome.
Teton Raptor Center
5450 W. Hwy 22, Wilson WY 83014
307-203-2551
Avian Experiences held 3-4 days per week depending on the season. Go online to book. Reservations encouraged. Nature shop and learning lab available to browse during business hours, M-Sat 10-4
Grand Teton National Park
Bird hikes are lead by rangers during the summer months; for more information contact the park at PO Box 170, Moose, WY 83012, (307) 739-3300.
