American White Pelican in the Green River, Seedskadee NWR

Wildlife

Birds

Waterfowl include ducks, geese, and swans. A great number of migratory waterfowl rely on the Refuge for foraging and resting during spring and fall migration. Common ducks include the Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Canvasback, Redhead, and Common Goldeneye. The Canada goose is an abundant year-round resident of Seedskadee NWR as well as the Trumpeter Swan.

Swainson's Hawks

Wading birds are water birds that usually do not swim or dive for their prey, but wade in shallow edges of lakes, ponds, creeks, and other waters for food not available on shore. The Great Blue Heron, White-faced Ibis and Sandhill Crane are wading birds common to Seedskadee NWR. The heron and ibis use the broad range of Refuge habitats, foraging in wetlands and shallow riverine areas and nesting over water in cottonwood trees or tall shrubs. Sandhill cranes utilize both wetland/marshy areas and grass/forb habitats for foraging and nesting.

Shorebirds are most often found foraging for food along water margins. Shorebirds use the Refuge during migration and also for nesting. Shorebirds frequent open water areas, riverine, and wetland habitats on the Refuge. Common shorebired species utilizing Seedskadee NWR include: Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet, Long-billed Dowitcher, Wilson's Phalarope and Common Snipe.

Divers and swimmers are water birds that swim or dive for their prey. The Common Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, and American Coot use open water areas, tall emergent marshes, and nest on the Refuge. The Double-crested Cormorant and American White Pelican subsist on a diet of fish and frequent riverine and open-water habitats. Exposed river rocks, cottonwood trees, and graveled shorelines provide roosting habitat.

Raptors, also known as birds of prey, consist of several families of hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls. Raptors are characterized by a hooked beak, stronge feet with talons, keen eyesight, and a carnivorouse diet. Raptors common to Seedskadee NWR include the Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, Great Horned Owl and Long-eared Owl. Osprey nest on the Refuge and Rough-legged Hawks overwinter on the Refuge.

Upland bird species rely primarily on upland habitats. Several of the more common upland bird species include Greater-sage Grouse, Horned Lark, Western Meadowlark,Mourning Dove, Sage Sparrow and Sage Thrasher.

Neotropical Migrants are birds that breed in North America, but winter in Central and South America or the West Indies. The following species are those that are more commonly found on the Refuge during migration, but many nest on the Refuge as well. These specises include: Tree Swallow, Rufous Hummingbird, Western and Eastern Kingbird, Yellow Warbler, Lincoln Sparrow, Common Nighthawk, and the Yellow-rumped Warbler. A more comprehensive list can be found in our wildlife observation guide.

Woodpeckers that inhabit the Refuge include the Northern Flicker, which is the most common. Other less common woodpeckers include Downy, and Hairy Woodpeckers, and the Red-naped Sapsucker.

Mule Deer fawn

Mammals

Big game species common to the area are Pronghorn, Mule Deer, and Moose. Although less than 1 percent of Wyoming is classified as riparian, almost 80 percent of its wildlife require riparian areas for critical portions of their life cycle. The Refuge along with adjacent Bureau of Land Managemt lands can support up to 40 Moose and 400 Mule Deer. Pronghorn range year-round throuhgout most of the areas below 7,000 feet in Wyoming. The Refuge lies within the range of the Sublette Antelope herd, which is one of the largest migratory ungulate herds in the lower 48 states.

Many small mammals are present within the Refuge and utilize all habitat types depending on their life requisites. More common species include Dusky Shrew, Little Brown Bat, Cottontail Rabbit, White-tailed Jackrabbit, Least Chipmunk, Wyoming Ground Squirrel, White-tailed Praire dog, and Deer Mice. Some of Seedskadee's other mammals include Muskrat, River Otter, Raccoon, Badger, Red Fox, Coyote, and Striped Skunk.

Fish

The following fish are commonly found in the Green river and its tributaries: Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Mottled Sculpin, White Sucker, Flannel-mouthed sucker, Utah Chub, Bonneville Redside Shiner, and Speckled Dace. The chief limiting factor for trout on the Refuge is the lack of deep pools, lack of bank cover, and the potenial for rapidly fluctuating flows from Fontennelle Reservior.

Damselfly on wetland vegetation, CMNWR

Reptiles and Amphibians

Known species diversity of reptiles and amphibians on the Refuge is low. Amphibians include the Tiger Salamander, Great Basin Spadefoot Toad, Nothern Leaopard Frog and the Boreal Chorus Frog. The Tiger Salamander and the Spadefoot Toad utilize a combination of habitats including marsh, wetland and riverine areas as well as upland shrub communities near open water. The frogs are found along vegetated margins of riverine permanent water, open ponded water, and tall emergent wetlands.

Reptiles found at Seedskadee NWR include the Many-lined Skink, Northern Sagebrush Lizard, Eastern Short-horned Lizard, and the Wandering Garter Snake.

Invertibrates

Data has not been gathered on invertibrates. Incidental observations reveal that Mosquito populations, though somewhat cyclical can be extremely high on the Refuge. Aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates are an essential component in the food chain for Seedskadee wildlife.

Mountain Bluebird

Wildlife Observation

Visitor estimates indicate that wildlife observation is one of the most popular public uses on the Refuge. Most wildlife observation activity occurs along the wildlife auto tour route and river corridor. The auto tour route is on the west side of the river and passes by the Hawley wetland unit, Refuge Headquarters, and Hamp wetland unit. Much of the optimum wildlife watching opportunities occur along the river corridor, which is easily viewed from the auto tour route and many other open designated roads. Foot travel is permitted throughout the Refuge and affords exceptional opportunities for individuals wanting to hike, explore off-road areas, and photograph wildlife and/or scenic areas.

Please avoid disturbing animals by getting too close. You will know you are approaching too close when animals stop feeding, stand up if they've been resting, change their direction of travel, or turn and start moving away.

Trumpeter swans and nesting Bald Eagles are extremely sensitive to disturbance: please remain at least 400 yards away from swans and do not approach eagle nests. Staff at the Refuge headquarters are available to answer questions or to provide further information.

Last updated: November 13, 2009