Walnut Creek

Ecosystem Overview

The Walnut Creek ecosystem supports 18 documented wildlife species across 18 taxonomic genera. Located in Albemarle County, Virginia, 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 Charlottesville nearby has 82% more documented species, Walnut Creek offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #5 for species diversity among 10 Albemarle County County natural areas, placing it in the 50th 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common6 species

Occasional5 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 10 locations

50th percentile for diversity

vs. Charlottesville

-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.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common5 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Very Common4 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Very Common3 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Very Common3 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Very Common3 obs.

Butorides virescens

green heron

Common2 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common2 obs.

Dolomedes triton

Six-Spotted Fishing Spider

Common1 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Common1 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Common1 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Common1 obs.

Buteo platypterus

Broad-winged Hawk

Occasional1 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional1 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Occasional1 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Occasional1 obs.

Passerina cyanea

Indigo Bunting

Occasional1 obs.

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Carolina Wren

Occasional1 obs.

Argia fumipennis

Variable Dancer

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 Walnut Creek. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-65%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Albemarle County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Charlottesville

Importance: 0.55

100 species

-82% vs. current

Albemarle County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-82% vs. current

Chris Greene Lake

Importance: 0.35

81 species

-78% vs. current

Crozet Park Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+800% vs. current

Mint Springs Upper Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+1700% vs. current

South Fork Rivanna Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

100 species

-82% vs. current

Totier Creek Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

17 species

+6% vs. current

Lake Albemarle

Importance: 0.20

16 species

+13% 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 Albemarle 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

-65%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Albemarle County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Charlottesville

Importance: 0.55

100 species

-82% vs. current

Albemarle County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-82% vs. current

Chris Greene Lake

Importance: 0.35

81 species

-78% vs. current

Crozet Park Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+800% vs. current

Mint Springs Upper Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+1700% vs. current

South Fork Rivanna Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

100 species

-82% vs. current

Totier Creek Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

17 species

+6% vs. current

Lake Albemarle

Importance: 0.20

16 species

+13% 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common6 species

Occasional5 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 10 locations

50th percentile for diversity

vs. Charlottesville

-82% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common5 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Very Common4 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Very Common3 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Very Common3 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Very Common3 obs.

Butorides virescens

green heron

Common2 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common2 obs.

Dolomedes triton

Six-Spotted Fishing Spider

Common1 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Common1 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Common1 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Common1 obs.

Buteo platypterus

Broad-winged Hawk

Occasional1 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional1 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Occasional1 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Occasional1 obs.

Passerina cyanea

Indigo Bunting

Occasional1 obs.

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Carolina Wren

Occasional1 obs.

Argia fumipennis

Variable Dancer

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.