Sparks

Ecosystem Overview

The Sparks ecosystem supports 97 documented wildlife species across 93 taxonomic genera. Located in Washoe County, Nevada, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 20 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Reno nearby has 3% more documented species, Sparks offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 16 Washoe County County natural areas, placing it in the 75th 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 16 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common20 species

Common29 species

Occasional29 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 16 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Reno

-3% 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 97 total documented species.

Asclepias fascicularis

Mexican milkweed

Very Common82 obs.

Asclepias speciosa

showy milkweed

Very Common13 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Very Common10 obs.

Callipepla californica

California Quail

Very Common9 obs.

Paruroctonus boreus

Very Common8 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Common7 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Common6 obs.

Sylvilagus audubonii

Desert Cottontail

Common6 obs.

Spinus psaltria

lesser goldfinch

Common6 obs.

Colaptes auratus

common flicker

Common5 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common5 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Occasional5 obs.

Atriplex canescens

Fourwing saltbush

Occasional5 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Occasional4 obs.

Anaxyrus boreas

Western Toad

Occasional4 obs.

Ericameria nauseosa

rubber rabbitbrush

Occasional3 obs.

Aphelocoma californica

California/Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Occasional3 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Rare3 obs.

Brephidium exilis

Western pygmy blue butterfly

Rare3 obs.

Bombus morrisoni

Morrison Bumble Bee

Rare3 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 Sparks. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+213%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Washoe County County, Nevada

Nearby Natural Areas

Reno

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-3% vs. current

Washoe County

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-3% vs. current

Virginia Lake

Importance: 0.35

20 species

+385% vs. current

Idlewild Pond

Importance: 0.35

9 species

+978% vs. current

Herman's Pond

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+1113% vs. current

Idlewild Pond

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3133% vs. current

Tamarack Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4750% vs. current

Crystal Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4750% 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 Washoe 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

+213%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Washoe County County, Nevada

Nearby Natural Areas

Reno

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-3% vs. current

Washoe County

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-3% vs. current

Virginia Lake

Importance: 0.35

20 species

+385% vs. current

Idlewild Pond

Importance: 0.35

9 species

+978% vs. current

Herman's Pond

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+1113% vs. current

Idlewild Pond

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3133% vs. current

Tamarack Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4750% vs. current

Crystal Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4750% 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 16 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common20 species

Common29 species

Occasional29 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 16 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Reno

-3% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 97 total documented species.

Asclepias fascicularis

Mexican milkweed

Very Common82 obs.

Asclepias speciosa

showy milkweed

Very Common13 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Very Common10 obs.

Callipepla californica

California Quail

Very Common9 obs.

Paruroctonus boreus

Very Common8 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Common7 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Common6 obs.

Sylvilagus audubonii

Desert Cottontail

Common6 obs.

Spinus psaltria

lesser goldfinch

Common6 obs.

Colaptes auratus

common flicker

Common5 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common5 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Occasional5 obs.

Atriplex canescens

Fourwing saltbush

Occasional5 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Occasional4 obs.

Anaxyrus boreas

Western Toad

Occasional4 obs.

Ericameria nauseosa

rubber rabbitbrush

Occasional3 obs.

Aphelocoma californica

California/Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Occasional3 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Rare3 obs.

Brephidium exilis

Western pygmy blue butterfly

Rare3 obs.

Bombus morrisoni

Morrison Bumble Bee

Rare3 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 97 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.