Ocean City

Ecosystem Overview

The Ocean City 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 #9 for species diversity among 21 Cape May County County natural areas, placing it in the 57th 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

#9 of 21 locations

57th 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.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Very Common31 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common27 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Very Common24 obs.

Nyctanassa violacea

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

Very Common21 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Very Common18 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Common14 obs.

Limulus polyphemus

horseshoe crab

Common8 obs.

Donax fossor

Common7 obs.

Plegadis falcinellus

Glossy Ibis

Common7 obs.

Sterna hirundo

common tern

Common7 obs.

Charadrius semipalmatus

Semipalmated Plover

Common6 obs.

Larus marinus

great black-backed gull

Occasional5 obs.

Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Heron

Occasional5 obs.

Spisula solidissima

Atlantic Surf Clam

Occasional5 obs.

Solidago sempervirens

Evergreen Goldenrod

Occasional5 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Occasional5 obs.

Quiscalus major

Boat-tailed Grackle

Occasional4 obs.

Busycon carica

Knobbed Whelk

Rare4 obs.

Neverita duplicata

Sharkeye Moonsnail

Rare4 obs.

Ovalipes ocellatus

Ocellate Lady Crab

Rare4 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 Ocean City. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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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

Cape May

Importance: 0.41

100 species

0% vs. current

Wildwood

Importance: 0.37

29 species

+245% vs. current

Middle Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Dennis Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Lower Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Upper 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

Cape May

Importance: 0.41

100 species

0% vs. current

Wildwood

Importance: 0.37

29 species

+245% vs. current

Middle Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Dennis Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Lower Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Upper 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

#9 of 21 locations

57th 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.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Very Common31 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common27 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Very Common24 obs.

Nyctanassa violacea

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

Very Common21 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Very Common18 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Common14 obs.

Limulus polyphemus

horseshoe crab

Common8 obs.

Donax fossor

Common7 obs.

Plegadis falcinellus

Glossy Ibis

Common7 obs.

Sterna hirundo

common tern

Common7 obs.

Charadrius semipalmatus

Semipalmated Plover

Common6 obs.

Larus marinus

great black-backed gull

Occasional5 obs.

Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Heron

Occasional5 obs.

Spisula solidissima

Atlantic Surf Clam

Occasional5 obs.

Solidago sempervirens

Evergreen Goldenrod

Occasional5 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Occasional5 obs.

Quiscalus major

Boat-tailed Grackle

Occasional4 obs.

Busycon carica

Knobbed Whelk

Rare4 obs.

Neverita duplicata

Sharkeye Moonsnail

Rare4 obs.

Ovalipes ocellatus

Ocellate Lady Crab

Rare4 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.