While bears, wolves, elk, bison, and moose often steal the spotlight in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), a closer look reveals a vibrant world teeming with some fascinating, lesser-known creatures. This August, as the summer hums along, take a moment to seek out the smaller mammals, diverse birds, and even essential insects that contribute to the rich tapestry of Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone.
Small Mammals: Big Personalities
Beyond the charismatic megafauna, the GYE is home to a delightful array of smaller mammals with big personalities that are highly active in August. Keep an eye out for:
- Pikas: These adorable, rabbit-like ramblers live in rocky areas, often seen scampering among the talus slopes. In August, they are busy “haying” – gathering and storing vegetation for their winter food supply, often leaving small, dried bundles of plants behind. Listen for their distinct, shrill whistle that sounds like a high-pitched “mew.”
- Yellow-Bellied Marmots: The large, often plump, yellow-bellied marmots are common in rocky, alpine environments and open meadows. They are sunbathers and can be spotted perched on rocks, whistling to alert their colony of potential danger.
- Beavers and River Otters: Along the GYE’s many rivers and lakes, you might spot signs of industrious beavers at work building lodges and dams, especially around dusk. Playful river otters are also frequent residents of aquatic habitats, delighting observers with their swimming skills and riverbank sliding antics.
Birds: A Symphony of Species
Beyond the iconic bald eagles and ospreys of the National Park, August offers fantastic birdwatching (and listening) opportunities for a multitude of species. Some birds are beginning to migrate to lower elevations.
- American Dippers: These remarkable, small, slate-gray birds are often found bobbing along fast-moving streams. They ‘dip’ underwater to forage for aquatic insects, even in the swiftest of currents.
- Songbirds: Forests and meadows of the GYE come alive with the calls and flashes of color from species like the Western Tanager, Mountain Bluebird, and various warblers. Keep an ear out for their distinct songs and a sharp eye for their vibrant plumage.
- Waterfowl and Shorebirds: Lakes, ponds, and wetlands are excellent spots to observe a variety of ducks, geese, and other waterfowl, as well as shorebirds preparing for their fall migrations.
- During this time, you can also begin to see other birds like hawks passing through the GYE during their migration.
The Tiny but Mighty: Rodents and Insects
Often overlooked, the smallest creatures play critical roles in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem:
- Rodents, including voles, mice, and chipmunks, play a vital role in the food chain, cleaning the forest floors and serving as a food source for many predators, such as coyotes, raptors, and grizzly bears.
- Insects: August is a busy time for insects, from buzzing pollinators crucial for the GYE’s wildflower pollination to various beetle species important for decomposition. Caddisflies, mayflies, and grasshoppers have hatched by this time and are providing great sources of food for trout, grayling, and whitefish.
This August, we challenge you to look ‘beyond the big five.’ With patience and a keen eye, you’ll discover the incredible diversity of life that thrives in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Wildlife Expeditions of Teton Science Schools offers public and private trips to enhance your visit to Jackson, making it even more profound and memorable. Book today.
Sources:
- Grand Teton National Park: https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm
- Yellowstone National Park: https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm
NPS: Insects as A vital Sign of the GYE by Diane M. Debinski
