Elk Glen Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Elk Glen Lake ecosystem supports 54 documented wildlife species across 45 taxonomic genera. Located in San Francisco City and County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 11 frequently observed species and 10 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While San Francisco nearby has 46% more documented species, Elk Glen Lake offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #7 for species diversity among 21 San Francisco City and County County natural areas, placing it in the 67th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common11 species

Common17 species

Occasional16 species

Rare10 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#7 of 21 locations

67th percentile for diversity

vs. San Francisco

-46% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 54 total documented species.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common6 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Very Common4 obs.

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Very Common4 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Very Common4 obs.

Certhia americana

American Treecreeper

Very Common3 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Common3 obs.

Gallinago delicata

Wilson's Snipe

Common3 obs.

Cardellina pusilla

Wilson's Warbler

Common2 obs.

Setophaga townsendi

Townsend's Warbler

Common2 obs.

Canis latrans

Prairie Wolf

Common2 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Common2 obs.

Passerella iliaca

Fox Sparrow (Slate-Colored)

Occasional2 obs.

Catharus guttatus

Hermit Thrush

Occasional2 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

Occasional2 obs.

Meleagris gallopavo

Turkey

Occasional2 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Occasional2 obs.

Leiothlypis celata

Orange-crowned Warbler

Occasional2 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Rare1 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Rare1 obs.

Gambusia affinis

Mosquito fish

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Elk Glen Lake. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-2%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Francisco City and County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Francisco

Importance: 0.69

100 species

-46% vs. current

Stow Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-46% vs. current

North Lake

Importance: 0.35

75 species

-28% vs. current

Mountain Lake

Importance: 0.35

60 species

-10% vs. current

Lily Pond

Importance: 0.35

30 species

+80% vs. current

Mallard Lake

Importance: 0.35

28 species

+93% vs. current

Pine Lake

Importance: 0.35

22 species

+145% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

21 species

+157% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within San Francisco City and County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-2%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Francisco City and County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Francisco

Importance: 0.69

100 species

-46% vs. current

Stow Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-46% vs. current

North Lake

Importance: 0.35

75 species

-28% vs. current

Mountain Lake

Importance: 0.35

60 species

-10% vs. current

Lily Pond

Importance: 0.35

30 species

+80% vs. current

Mallard Lake

Importance: 0.35

28 species

+93% vs. current

Pine Lake

Importance: 0.35

22 species

+145% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

21 species

+157% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common11 species

Common17 species

Occasional16 species

Rare10 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#7 of 21 locations

67th percentile for diversity

vs. San Francisco

-46% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 54 total documented species.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common6 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Very Common4 obs.

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Very Common4 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Very Common4 obs.

Certhia americana

American Treecreeper

Very Common3 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Common3 obs.

Gallinago delicata

Wilson's Snipe

Common3 obs.

Cardellina pusilla

Wilson's Warbler

Common2 obs.

Setophaga townsendi

Townsend's Warbler

Common2 obs.

Canis latrans

Prairie Wolf

Common2 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Common2 obs.

Passerella iliaca

Fox Sparrow (Slate-Colored)

Occasional2 obs.

Catharus guttatus

Hermit Thrush

Occasional2 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

Occasional2 obs.

Meleagris gallopavo

Turkey

Occasional2 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Occasional2 obs.

Leiothlypis celata

Orange-crowned Warbler

Occasional2 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Rare1 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Rare1 obs.

Gambusia affinis

Mosquito fish

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 54 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.