Cape May

Ecosystem Overview

The Cape May ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 91 taxonomic genera. Located in Cape May County, New Jersey, 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 #4 for species diversity among 21 Cape May County County natural areas, placing it in the 81th 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 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 21 locations

81th percentile for diversity

vs. Cape May County

0% 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 100 total documented species.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common30 obs.

Rynchops niger

black skimmer

Very Common17 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Very Common12 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Very Common11 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Very Common11 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Common9 obs.

Larus marinus

great black-backed gull

Common8 obs.

Larus fuscus

lesser black-backed gull

Common8 obs.

Haematopus palliatus

American Oystercatcher

Common6 obs.

Crassostrea virginica

American oyster

Common6 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common5 obs.

Spisula solidissima

Atlantic Surf Clam

Occasional5 obs.

Argopecten irradians

Bay Scallop

Occasional5 obs.

Crepidula fornicata

Common Atlantic Slippersnail

Occasional5 obs.

Limulus polyphemus

horseshoe crab

Occasional4 obs.

Opuntia humifusa

devil's-tongue

Occasional4 obs.

Sterna forsteri

forster’s tern

Occasional4 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Rare4 obs.

Xylocopa virginica

Carpenter bee

Rare3 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare3 obs.

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Most Common Species

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

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+11%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Cape May County County, New Jersey

Nearby Natural Areas

Cape May County

Importance: 0.43

100 species

0% vs. current

Ocean City

Importance: 0.41

100 species

0% vs. current

Wildwood

Importance: 0.37

29 species

+245% vs. current

Upper Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Lower Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Middle Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Dennis Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Bunker Pond

Importance: 0.35

88 species

+14% 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 Cape May 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

100

Species Count

+11%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Cape May County County, New Jersey

Nearby Natural Areas

Cape May County

Importance: 0.43

100 species

0% vs. current

Ocean City

Importance: 0.41

100 species

0% vs. current

Wildwood

Importance: 0.37

29 species

+245% vs. current

Upper Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Lower Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Middle Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Dennis Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Bunker Pond

Importance: 0.35

88 species

+14% 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 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 21 locations

81th percentile for diversity

vs. Cape May County

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common30 obs.

Rynchops niger

black skimmer

Very Common17 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Very Common12 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Very Common11 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Very Common11 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Common9 obs.

Larus marinus

great black-backed gull

Common8 obs.

Larus fuscus

lesser black-backed gull

Common8 obs.

Haematopus palliatus

American Oystercatcher

Common6 obs.

Crassostrea virginica

American oyster

Common6 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common5 obs.

Spisula solidissima

Atlantic Surf Clam

Occasional5 obs.

Argopecten irradians

Bay Scallop

Occasional5 obs.

Crepidula fornicata

Common Atlantic Slippersnail

Occasional5 obs.

Limulus polyphemus

horseshoe crab

Occasional4 obs.

Opuntia humifusa

devil's-tongue

Occasional4 obs.

Sterna forsteri

forster’s tern

Occasional4 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Rare4 obs.

Xylocopa virginica

Carpenter bee

Rare3 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare3 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.