Santa Margarita Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Santa Margarita Lake ecosystem supports 18 documented wildlife species across 16 taxonomic genera. Located in San Luis Obispo County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 4 frequently observed species and 3 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While San Luis Obispo nearby has 82% more documented species, Santa Margarita Lake offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #14 for species diversity among 22 San Luis Obispo County County natural areas, placing it in the 36th 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

#14

Regional Rank

Out of 22 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common6 species

Occasional5 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#14 of 22 locations

36th percentile for diversity

vs. San Luis Obispo

-82% 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 18 total documented species.

Aechmophorus clarkii

Clark's Grebe

Very Common2 obs.

Aechmophorus occidentalis

Western Grebe

Very Common2 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common2 obs.

Libellula saturata

Flame Skimmer

Very Common1 obs.

Odocoileus hemionus

mule deer

Very Common1 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Common1 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Common1 obs.

Tringa melanoleuca

Greater Yellowlegs

Common1 obs.

Actitis macularius

spotted sandpiper

Common1 obs.

Aphelocoma californica

California/Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Common1 obs.

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Common1 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Occasional1 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Occasional1 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Occasional1 obs.

Marsilea vestita

hooked-pepperwort

Occasional1 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Occasional1 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Occasional1 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

$6.99

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

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-67%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Luis Obispo County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Luis Obispo

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-82% vs. current

San Luis Obispo County

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-82% vs. current

Atascadero

Importance: 0.36

100 species

-82% vs. current

Laguna Lake

Importance: 0.35

74 species

-76% vs. current

Oso Flaco Lake

Importance: 0.35

44 species

-59% vs. current

Atascadero Lake

Importance: 0.35

17 species

+6% vs. current

Soda Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+260% vs. current

Lopez Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+800% 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 Luis Obispo 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

-67%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Luis Obispo County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Luis Obispo

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-82% vs. current

San Luis Obispo County

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-82% vs. current

Atascadero

Importance: 0.36

100 species

-82% vs. current

Laguna Lake

Importance: 0.35

74 species

-76% vs. current

Oso Flaco Lake

Importance: 0.35

44 species

-59% vs. current

Atascadero Lake

Importance: 0.35

17 species

+6% vs. current

Soda Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+260% vs. current

Lopez Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+800% 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

#14

Regional Rank

Out of 22 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common6 species

Occasional5 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#14 of 22 locations

36th percentile for diversity

vs. San Luis Obispo

-82% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 18 total documented species.

Aechmophorus clarkii

Clark's Grebe

Very Common2 obs.

Aechmophorus occidentalis

Western Grebe

Very Common2 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common2 obs.

Libellula saturata

Flame Skimmer

Very Common1 obs.

Odocoileus hemionus

mule deer

Very Common1 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Common1 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Common1 obs.

Tringa melanoleuca

Greater Yellowlegs

Common1 obs.

Actitis macularius

spotted sandpiper

Common1 obs.

Aphelocoma californica

California/Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Common1 obs.

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Common1 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Occasional1 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Occasional1 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Occasional1 obs.

Marsilea vestita

hooked-pepperwort

Occasional1 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Occasional1 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Occasional1 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 18 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.