Due to its location in the Central Flyway many migratory birds visit Jackson Lake. ​Birders travel to the region because of the abundance and diversity of bird species. Long-billed curlews and whooping cranes are occasionally observed. Ferruginous and rough-legged hawks are present in the winter, while Swainson’s hawks return for the summer months.

Northern harriers fly low over wetlands and grasslan​ds. Ground-nesting grassland birds such as horned larks, lark buntings, western meadowlarks and vesper sparrows may breed in the park in the spring.