Barnegat Light

Ecosystem Overview

The Barnegat Light ecosystem supports 92 documented wildlife species across 76 taxonomic genera. Located in Ocean County, New Jersey, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 19 frequently observed species and 18 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Ocean County nearby has 8% more documented species, Barnegat Light offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #7 for species diversity among 33 Ocean County County natural areas, placing it in the 79th 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 33 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common28 species

Occasional27 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#7 of 33 locations

79th percentile for diversity

vs. Ocean County

-8% 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 92 total documented species.

Arenaria interpres

ruddy turnstone

Very Common28 obs.

Clangula hyemalis

long-tailed duck

Very Common23 obs.

Calidris maritima

Purple Sandpiper

Very Common23 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Very Common22 obs.

Mergus serrator

Red-breasted Merganser

Very Common19 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Common16 obs.

Calidris alpina

dunlin

Common16 obs.

Branta bernicla

dark-bellied brent goose

Common13 obs.

Larus marinus

great black-backed gull

Common11 obs.

Somateria mollissima

Common Eider

Common10 obs.

Gavia stellata

Red-throated Loon

Common9 obs.

Melanitta perspicillata

Surf Scoter

Occasional9 obs.

Melanitta americana

black scoter

Occasional7 obs.

Passerculus sandwichensis

Savannah Sparrow

Occasional6 obs.

Pluvialis squatarola

grey plover

Occasional5 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Occasional4 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Occasional4 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Rare4 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Rare3 obs.

Haematopus palliatus

American Oystercatcher

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 Barnegat Light. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+61%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ocean County County, New Jersey

Nearby Natural Areas

Ocean County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-8% vs. current

Lakehurst

Importance: 0.40

8 species

+1050% vs. current

Point Pleasant

Importance: 0.36

6 species

+1433% vs. current

Seaside Heights

Importance: 0.36

5 species

+1740% vs. current

Tuckerton

Importance: 0.35

35 species

+163% vs. current

Berkeley Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-8% vs. current

Lacey Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-8% vs. current

Jackson Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-8% 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 Ocean 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

+61%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ocean County County, New Jersey

Nearby Natural Areas

Ocean County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-8% vs. current

Lakehurst

Importance: 0.40

8 species

+1050% vs. current

Point Pleasant

Importance: 0.36

6 species

+1433% vs. current

Seaside Heights

Importance: 0.36

5 species

+1740% vs. current

Tuckerton

Importance: 0.35

35 species

+163% vs. current

Berkeley Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-8% vs. current

Lacey Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-8% vs. current

Jackson Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-8% 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 33 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common28 species

Occasional27 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#7 of 33 locations

79th percentile for diversity

vs. Ocean County

-8% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 92 total documented species.

Arenaria interpres

ruddy turnstone

Very Common28 obs.

Clangula hyemalis

long-tailed duck

Very Common23 obs.

Calidris maritima

Purple Sandpiper

Very Common23 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Very Common22 obs.

Mergus serrator

Red-breasted Merganser

Very Common19 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Common16 obs.

Calidris alpina

dunlin

Common16 obs.

Branta bernicla

dark-bellied brent goose

Common13 obs.

Larus marinus

great black-backed gull

Common11 obs.

Somateria mollissima

Common Eider

Common10 obs.

Gavia stellata

Red-throated Loon

Common9 obs.

Melanitta perspicillata

Surf Scoter

Occasional9 obs.

Melanitta americana

black scoter

Occasional7 obs.

Passerculus sandwichensis

Savannah Sparrow

Occasional6 obs.

Pluvialis squatarola

grey plover

Occasional5 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Occasional4 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Occasional4 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Rare4 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Rare3 obs.

Haematopus palliatus

American Oystercatcher

Rare3 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 92 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.