Lake Whittier

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake Whittier ecosystem supports 41 documented wildlife species across 32 taxonomic genera. Located in Frederick County, Maryland, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 9 frequently observed species and 8 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Frederick nearby has 59% more documented species, Lake Whittier offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #8 for species diversity among 29 Frederick County County natural areas, placing it in the 72th 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 29 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common9 species

Common12 species

Occasional12 species

Rare8 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 29 locations

72th percentile for diversity

vs. Frederick

-59% 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 41 total documented species.

Branta hutchinsii

hutchins’s canada goose

Very Common10 obs.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Very Common9 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common8 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common6 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Very Common6 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Common6 obs.

Aythya americana

Redhead

Common5 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common4 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Common4 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common3 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Common3 obs.

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

Occasional3 obs.

Aythya valisineria

Canvasback

Occasional3 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Occasional2 obs.

Aythya marila

greater scaup

Occasional2 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional2 obs.

Tringa melanoleuca

Greater Yellowlegs

Occasional1 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Rare1 obs.

Hyphantria cunea

Autumn Webworm

Rare1 obs.

Ischnura verticalis

Eastern Forktail

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 Lake Whittier. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-24%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Frederick County County, Maryland

Nearby Natural Areas

Frederick

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-59% vs. current

Frederick County

Importance: 0.43

100 species

-59% vs. current

Emmitsburg

Importance: 0.38

87 species

-53% vs. current

Brunswick

Importance: 0.38

96 species

-57% vs. current

Damazo Pond

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+28% vs. current

Culler Lake

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+413% vs. current

Lake Linganore

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+1267% vs. current

Whisky Springs Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1950% 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 Frederick 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

-24%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Frederick County County, Maryland

Nearby Natural Areas

Frederick

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-59% vs. current

Frederick County

Importance: 0.43

100 species

-59% vs. current

Emmitsburg

Importance: 0.38

87 species

-53% vs. current

Brunswick

Importance: 0.38

96 species

-57% vs. current

Damazo Pond

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+28% vs. current

Culler Lake

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+413% vs. current

Lake Linganore

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+1267% vs. current

Whisky Springs Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1950% 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 29 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common9 species

Common12 species

Occasional12 species

Rare8 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 29 locations

72th percentile for diversity

vs. Frederick

-59% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 41 total documented species.

Branta hutchinsii

hutchins’s canada goose

Very Common10 obs.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Very Common9 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common8 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common6 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Very Common6 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Common6 obs.

Aythya americana

Redhead

Common5 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common4 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Common4 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common3 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Common3 obs.

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

Occasional3 obs.

Aythya valisineria

Canvasback

Occasional3 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Occasional2 obs.

Aythya marila

greater scaup

Occasional2 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional2 obs.

Tringa melanoleuca

Greater Yellowlegs

Occasional1 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Rare1 obs.

Hyphantria cunea

Autumn Webworm

Rare1 obs.

Ischnura verticalis

Eastern Forktail

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 41 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.