Hays

Ecosystem Overview

The Hays ecosystem supports 74 documented wildlife species across 67 taxonomic genera. Located in Ellis County, Kansas, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 15 frequently observed species and 14 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Ellis County nearby has 6% more documented species, Hays offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 100 Ellis County County natural areas, placing it in the 98th 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 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common15 species

Common23 species

Occasional22 species

Rare14 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 100 locations

98th percentile for diversity

vs. Ellis County

-6% 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 74 total documented species.

Chorispora tenella

Bluemustard

Very Common2 obs.

Portulaca oleracea

Pusley

Very Common2 obs.

Citrullus lanatus

Watermelon

Very Common2 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Very Common1.95 obs.

Hibiscus trionum

Modesty

Very Common1.6 obs.

Bombus pensylvanicus

Bumble Bee

Common1.58 obs.

Euphorbia marginata

Ghostweed

Common1.42 obs.

Lithobates blairi

Plains Leopard Frog

Common1.32 obs.

Cenchrus longispinus

Sandbur

Common1.21 obs.

Ambrosia psilostachya

Cuman Ragweed

Common1.15 obs.

Bouteloua gracilis

Blue Grama

Common1.11 obs.

Asclepias latifolia

Broadleaf Milkweed

Occasional1.07 obs.

Tyrannus verticalis

Western Kingbird

Occasional1 obs.

Cosmos bipinnatus

Cosmos

Occasional1 obs.

Symphyotrichum ericoides

Heath Aster

Occasional1 obs.

Vanessa atalanta

Red Admiral

Occasional1 obs.

Euonymus alatus

Burningbush

Occasional1 obs.

Portulaca pilosa

Kiss Me Quick

Rare1 obs.

Allium drummondii

Rare1 obs.

Amaranthus palmeri

Palmer'S Pigweed

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+76%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ellis County County, Kansas

Nearby Natural Areas

Ellis County

Importance: 0.80

79 species

-6% vs. current

Hays

Importance: 0.70

57 species

+30% vs. current

Ellis

Importance: 0.70

4 species

+1750% vs. current

Schoenchen

Importance: 0.70

1 species

+7300% vs. current

Hays Municipal Golf Course

in Hays

Importance: 0.60

59 species

+25% vs. current

Hays Regional Airport

Importance: 0.60

44 species

+68% vs. current

Bickle-schmidt Sports Complex

in Hays

Importance: 0.60

34 species

+118% vs. current

Fort Hays Historic Site

Importance: 0.50

59 species

+25% 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 Ellis 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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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 74 total documented species.

Chorispora tenella

Bluemustard

Very Common2 obs.

Portulaca oleracea

Pusley

Very Common2 obs.

Citrullus lanatus

Watermelon

Very Common2 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Very Common1.95 obs.

Hibiscus trionum

Modesty

Very Common1.6 obs.

Bombus pensylvanicus

Bumble Bee

Common1.58 obs.

Euphorbia marginata

Ghostweed

Common1.42 obs.

Lithobates blairi

Plains Leopard Frog

Common1.32 obs.

Cenchrus longispinus

Sandbur

Common1.21 obs.

Ambrosia psilostachya

Cuman Ragweed

Common1.15 obs.

Bouteloua gracilis

Blue Grama

Common1.11 obs.

Asclepias latifolia

Broadleaf Milkweed

Occasional1.07 obs.

Tyrannus verticalis

Western Kingbird

Occasional1 obs.

Cosmos bipinnatus

Cosmos

Occasional1 obs.

Symphyotrichum ericoides

Heath Aster

Occasional1 obs.

Vanessa atalanta

Red Admiral

Occasional1 obs.

Euonymus alatus

Burningbush

Occasional1 obs.

Portulaca pilosa

Kiss Me Quick

Rare1 obs.

Allium drummondii

Rare1 obs.

Amaranthus palmeri

Palmer'S Pigweed

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 74 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.

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+76%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ellis County County, Kansas

Nearby Natural Areas

Ellis County

Importance: 0.80

79 species

-6% vs. current

Hays

Importance: 0.70

57 species

+30% vs. current

Ellis

Importance: 0.70

4 species

+1750% vs. current

Schoenchen

Importance: 0.70

1 species

+7300% vs. current

Hays Municipal Golf Course

in Hays

Importance: 0.60

59 species

+25% vs. current

Hays Regional Airport

Importance: 0.60

44 species

+68% vs. current

Bickle-schmidt Sports Complex

in Hays

Importance: 0.60

34 species

+118% vs. current

Fort Hays Historic Site

Importance: 0.50

59 species

+25% 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 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common15 species

Common23 species

Occasional22 species

Rare14 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 100 locations

98th percentile for diversity

vs. Ellis County

-6% species diversity