South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area

43.39824 , -110.77833

United States of America (USA)

The South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area boasts the most diverse bird list of any site in western Wyoming with over 180 species recorded. The site features a series of mitigation ponds which attract a number of species regionally uncommon elsewhere. South Park WHMA also includes a grassland along with a cottonwood gallery adjacent to Snake River riparian lowlands which borders the accessible portion of the area. 

South Park WHMA is just over 1000 acres with a number of trails through the woodland and along the Snake River. This WHMA was created to provide a feedground for wintering elk and is closed to birders from November through the end of April. 

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Eric Hope : 43.3982/-110.7783 (2021-08-23 00:41:22 )

Site name was set by Eric Hope as "South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area" (2021-08-23 00:41:22 )

Edited by Eric Hope on 2021-08-23 01:21:39
The South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area boasts the most diverse bird list of any site in western Wyoming with over 180 species recorded. The site features a series of mitigation ponds which attract a number of species regionally uncommon elsewhere. South Park WHMA also includes a grassland along with a cottonwood gallery adjacent to Snake River riparian lowlands which borders the accessible portion of the area.  South Park WHMA is just over 1000 acres with a number of trails through the woodland and along the Snake River. This WHMA was created to provide a feedground for wintering elk and is closed to birders from November through the end of April. 

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope)
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus)
Sora (Porzana carolina)
Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)
Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri)
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)
Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii)
MacGillivray's Warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei)

Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-23 01:01:42)

Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-23 01:00:36)

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-23 01:00:10)

Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-23 00:59:44)

Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-23 00:58:30)

Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-23 00:57:46)

Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-23 00:56:59)

Sora (Porzana carolina) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-23 00:56:32)

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-23 00:56:19)

MacGillivray's Warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-23 00:54:55)

Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-23 00:54:45)

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-23 00:54:36)

  • Timing and strategy

This WHMA is closed to birders from November 1 - May 1 for wintering wildlife protection.

It's easy to bird the entirety of South Park WHMA in a single visit. May and August/September (during migration) tend to host the highest species diversity but most of the interesting locals can be easily observed throughout the summer. If you're hoping to observe waterfowl or shorebirds - especially during migration - it's important to head to the mitigation ponds first since off-leash dogs are common here and often scare many of those birds off in the morning. Allowing at least 1-2 hours will allow a fairly thorough survey of the accessible areas of the WHMA.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Eric Hope on 2021-08-23 01:32
This WHMA is closed to birders from November 1 - May 1 for wintering wildlife protection. It's easy to bird the entirety of South Park WHMA in a single visit. May and August/September (during migration) tend to host the highest species diversity but most of the interesting locals can be easily observed throughout the summer. If you're hoping to observe waterfowl or shorebirds - especially during migration - it's important to head to the mitigation ponds first since off-leash dogs are common here and often scare many of those birds off in the morning. Allowing at least 1-2 hours will allow a fairly thorough survey of the accessible areas of the WHMA.
  • How to get there

South Park WHMA is about a 15-minute drive south of Jackson proper on US-189. The entrance is unmarked and there is a turn immediately to the north of the entrance to the WHMA leading to the Teton County Water Treatment Ponds which are off-limits to the public so pay attention to signage and do not trespass. The road itself is dirt/gravel but is maintained well enough to be traversed by any vehicle.

There is also a bike path which travels adjacent to US-189 which takes roughly 40 minutes from Jackson proper to South Park WHMA.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Eric Hope on 2021-08-23 01:40
South Park WHMA is about a 15-minute drive south of Jackson proper on US-189. The entrance is unmarked and there is a turn immediately to the north of the entrance to the WHMA leading to the Teton County Water Treatment Ponds which are off-limits to the public so pay attention to signage and do not trespass. trespass. The road itself is dirt/gravel but is maintained well enough to be traversed by any vehicle. There is also a bike path which travels adjacent to US-189 which takes roughly 40 minutes from Jackson proper to South Park WHMA.
Edited by Eric Hope on 2021-08-23 01:38
South Park WHMA is about a 15-minute drive south of Jackson proper on US-189. The entrance is unmarked and there is a turn immediately to the north of the entrance to the WHMA leading to the Teton County Water Treatment Ponds which are off-limits to the public so pay attention to signage and do not trespass. There is also a bike path which travels adjacent to US-189 which takes roughly 40 minutes from Jackson proper to South Park WHMA.

This WHMA is closed to birders from November 1 - May 1 for wintering wildlife protection.

Outside that closure, the site is open 24 hours/day with free parking.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Eric Hope on 2021-08-23 01:39
This WHMA is closed to birders from November 1 - May 1 for wintering wildlife protection. Outside that closure, the site is open 24 hours/day with free parking.
  • Other attractions

Wildlife: beyond the birding, you can often observe river otters, weasels, elk, and mule deer at South Park WHMA. 

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Eric Hope on 2021-08-23 01:43
Wildlife: beyond the birding, you can often observe river otters, weasels, elk, and mule deer at South Park WHMA. 

There is a pit toilet located by the East Parking Lot but no other facilities exist in the WHMA.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Eric Hope on 2021-08-23 01:44
There is a pit toilet located by the East Parking Lot but no other facilities exist in the WHMA.

You shouldn't expect to run into any dangerous wildlife here but there are many people who walk dogs off-leash here which may sometimes be aggressive and will regularly scare waterfowl and shorebirds off the mitigation ponds.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Eric Hope on 2021-08-23 01:45
You shouldn't expect to run into any dangerous wildlife here but there are many people who walk dogs off-leash here which may sometimes be aggressive and will regularly scare waterfowl and shorebirds off the mitigation ponds.
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Contributors

Eric Hope

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South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area - Orniverse