This is especially true of songbirds, shorebirds, and herons. Mourning dove, scaled quail, common nighthawk, horned lark, curve-billed thrasher, lark sparrow, loggerhead shrike, and northern mockingbird are prominent nesting birds. The wooded area adjacent to the campground provides a good birding site. Raptors frequenting the refuge during the summer include Swainson's hawk and American kestrel. Various raptor species occur during migration periods including an occasional prairie falcon.
Turkey vulture are common during late summer and early fall.
Golden eagles may be seen in the fall or winter as well as an occasional bald eagle during January and February. Great horned and burrowing owls use the refuge year-round. You should watch for some of the mammals that are common to the area. Prairie dogs are abundant in the draws northeast of the refuge headquarters and may also be seen from the observation turnout located along the tour road near the headquarters. Prairie rattlesnakes also use the prairie dog dens and are common throughout the refuge.