Bay County

Ecosystem Overview

The Bay County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 95 taxonomic genera. Located in Bay County, Florida, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Panama City, Bay County hosts 525% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 9 Bay County County natural areas, placing it in the 89th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 9 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 9 locations

89th percentile for diversity

vs. Panama City

+525% 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 100 total documented species.

Dione vanillae

Gulf Fritillary

Very Common10 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Very Common9 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common9 obs.

Anolis sagrei

Mayan Coastal Anole [Mayensis]

Very Common8 obs.

Archilochus colubris

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Very Common8 obs.

Sialia sialis

Eastern Bluebird

Common7 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Common7 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Common7 obs.

Bubo virginianus

Great Horned Owl

Common7 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common7 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common6 obs.

Sayornis phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

Occasional5 obs.

Buteo lineatus

Red-Shouldered/Broad-Winged Hawk

Occasional5 obs.

Asclepias humistrata

Occasional5 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Occasional5 obs.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Eastern Pondhawk

Occasional5 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

Occasional5 obs.

Parablennius marmoreus

Seaweed Blenny

Rare4 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Rare4 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare4 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 Bay County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+400%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Bay County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Panama City

Importance: 0.44

16 species

+525% vs. current

Panama City Beach

Importance: 0.36

19 species

+426% vs. current

Gator Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Saint Andrew Bay

Importance: 0.33

14 species

+614% vs. current

Lynn Haven

Importance: 0.28

10 species

+900% vs. current

Mexico Beach

Importance: 0.27

100 species

0% vs. current

Springfield

Importance: 0.26

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Callaway

Importance: 0.26

1 species

+9900% 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 Bay 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

100

Species Count

+400%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Bay County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Panama City

Importance: 0.44

16 species

+525% vs. current

Panama City Beach

Importance: 0.36

19 species

+426% vs. current

Gator Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Saint Andrew Bay

Importance: 0.33

14 species

+614% vs. current

Lynn Haven

Importance: 0.28

10 species

+900% vs. current

Mexico Beach

Importance: 0.27

100 species

0% vs. current

Springfield

Importance: 0.26

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Callaway

Importance: 0.26

1 species

+9900% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 9 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 9 locations

89th percentile for diversity

vs. Panama City

+525% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Dione vanillae

Gulf Fritillary

Very Common10 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Very Common9 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common9 obs.

Anolis sagrei

Mayan Coastal Anole [Mayensis]

Very Common8 obs.

Archilochus colubris

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Very Common8 obs.

Sialia sialis

Eastern Bluebird

Common7 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Common7 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Common7 obs.

Bubo virginianus

Great Horned Owl

Common7 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common7 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common6 obs.

Sayornis phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

Occasional5 obs.

Buteo lineatus

Red-Shouldered/Broad-Winged Hawk

Occasional5 obs.

Asclepias humistrata

Occasional5 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Occasional5 obs.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Eastern Pondhawk

Occasional5 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

Occasional5 obs.

Parablennius marmoreus

Seaweed Blenny

Rare4 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Rare4 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare4 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 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.