Mountain Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Mountain Lake ecosystem supports 60 documented wildlife species across 57 taxonomic genera. Located in San Francisco City and County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 13 frequently observed species and 11 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While San Francisco nearby has 40% more documented species, Mountain Lake offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #6 for species diversity among 21 San Francisco City and County County natural areas, placing it in the 71th 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 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common18 species

Occasional18 species

Rare11 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#6 of 21 locations

71th percentile for diversity

vs. San Francisco

-40% 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 60 total documented species.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Very Common11 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Very Common10 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common10 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Very Common10 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Very Common9 obs.

Actinemys marmorata

western pond turtle

Common9 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Common7 obs.

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

Common6 obs.

Gasterosteus aculeatus

three-spined stickleback

Common6 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Common5 obs.

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Common4 obs.

Calypte anna

Anna's Hummingbird

Occasional4 obs.

Ameiurus melas

black bullhead

Occasional4 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

Occasional4 obs.

Procambarus clarkii

red swamp crawfish

Occasional4 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Occasional3 obs.

Hirundo rustica

barn swallow

Occasional3 obs.

Actitis macularius

spotted sandpiper

Rare3 obs.

Lophocampa maculata

Rare2 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare2 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 Mountain Lake. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+11%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Francisco City and County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Francisco

Importance: 0.69

100 species

-40% vs. current

Stow Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-40% vs. current

North Lake

Importance: 0.35

75 species

-20% vs. current

Elk Glen Lake

Importance: 0.35

54 species

+11% vs. current

Lily Pond

Importance: 0.35

30 species

+100% vs. current

Mallard Lake

Importance: 0.35

28 species

+114% vs. current

Pine Lake

Importance: 0.35

22 species

+173% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

21 species

+186% 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 San Francisco City and 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

+11%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Francisco City and County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Francisco

Importance: 0.69

100 species

-40% vs. current

Stow Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-40% vs. current

North Lake

Importance: 0.35

75 species

-20% vs. current

Elk Glen Lake

Importance: 0.35

54 species

+11% vs. current

Lily Pond

Importance: 0.35

30 species

+100% vs. current

Mallard Lake

Importance: 0.35

28 species

+114% vs. current

Pine Lake

Importance: 0.35

22 species

+173% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

21 species

+186% 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 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common18 species

Occasional18 species

Rare11 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#6 of 21 locations

71th percentile for diversity

vs. San Francisco

-40% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 60 total documented species.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Very Common11 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Very Common10 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common10 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Very Common10 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Very Common9 obs.

Actinemys marmorata

western pond turtle

Common9 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Common7 obs.

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

Common6 obs.

Gasterosteus aculeatus

three-spined stickleback

Common6 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Common5 obs.

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Common4 obs.

Calypte anna

Anna's Hummingbird

Occasional4 obs.

Ameiurus melas

black bullhead

Occasional4 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

Occasional4 obs.

Procambarus clarkii

red swamp crawfish

Occasional4 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Occasional3 obs.

Hirundo rustica

barn swallow

Occasional3 obs.

Actitis macularius

spotted sandpiper

Rare3 obs.

Lophocampa maculata

Rare2 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 60 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.