Gaithersburg

Ecosystem Overview

The Gaithersburg ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 94 taxonomic genera. Located in Montgomery County, Maryland, 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. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 36 Montgomery County County natural areas, placing it in the 92th 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 36 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 36 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Montgomery County

0% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

‌
‌
‌
‌

Biodiversity Highlights

‌

Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

‌

Most Common Species

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

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Very Common15 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Very Common9 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Very Common9 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Very Common9 obs.

Sturnus vulgaris

starling

Very Common7 obs.

Spinus tristis

American goldfinch

Common7 obs.

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Carolina Wren

Common5 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Common5 obs.

Lobelia siphilitica

Blue Lobelia

Common4 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Common4 obs.

Quiscalus quiscula

Common Grackle

Common3 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Occasional3 obs.

Buteo lineatus

Red-Shouldered/Broad-Winged Hawk

Occasional3 obs.

Molothrus ater

Brown-headed Cowbird

Occasional3 obs.

Tamias striatus

eastern chipmunk

Occasional3 obs.

Lobelia inflata

wild tobacco

Occasional3 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional3 obs.

Asclepias tuberosa

Chieger-Flower

Rare3 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Rare2 obs.

Chrysochus auratus

Dogbane Leaf Beetle

Rare2 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.

Most Common Species

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

Want the Complete Field Guide?

‌
‌

‌

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

$6.99

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

Email Address (for delivery)

Your field guide will be delivered to this email address. Please double-check for accuracy.

$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+89%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Montgomery County County, Maryland

Nearby Natural Areas

Montgomery County

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Rockville

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Takoma Park

Importance: 0.41

100 species

0% vs. current

Poolesville

Importance: 0.37

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Kensington

Importance: 0.36

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Study Pond

Importance: 0.35

49 species

+104% vs. current

Chesapeake And Ohio Canal

Importance: 0.35

34 species

+194% vs. current

Lake Needwood

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+270% 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 Montgomery County County.

Regional Comparison

‌

Regional Ranking

‌

Species Count

‌

vs. Regional Average

‌

Nearby Natural Areas

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

About This Comparison

‌
‌
‌

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+89%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Montgomery County County, Maryland

Nearby Natural Areas

Montgomery County

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Rockville

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Takoma Park

Importance: 0.41

100 species

0% vs. current

Poolesville

Importance: 0.37

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Kensington

Importance: 0.36

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Study Pond

Importance: 0.35

49 species

+104% vs. current

Chesapeake And Ohio Canal

Importance: 0.35

34 species

+194% vs. current

Lake Needwood

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+270% 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 36 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 36 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Montgomery County

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Very Common15 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Very Common9 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Very Common9 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Very Common9 obs.

Sturnus vulgaris

starling

Very Common7 obs.

Spinus tristis

American goldfinch

Common7 obs.

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Carolina Wren

Common5 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Common5 obs.

Lobelia siphilitica

Blue Lobelia

Common4 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Common4 obs.

Quiscalus quiscula

Common Grackle

Common3 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Occasional3 obs.

Buteo lineatus

Red-Shouldered/Broad-Winged Hawk

Occasional3 obs.

Molothrus ater

Brown-headed Cowbird

Occasional3 obs.

Tamias striatus

eastern chipmunk

Occasional3 obs.

Lobelia inflata

wild tobacco

Occasional3 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional3 obs.

Asclepias tuberosa

Chieger-Flower

Rare3 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Rare2 obs.

Chrysochus auratus

Dogbane Leaf Beetle

Rare2 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.