Cayuga Heights

Ecosystem Overview

The Cayuga Heights ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 97 taxonomic genera. Located in Tompkins County, New York, 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 #2 for species diversity among 15 Tompkins County County natural areas, placing it in the 87th 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 15 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 15 locations

87th percentile for diversity

vs. Ithaca

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.

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Carpenter Ant

Very Common6 obs.

Celastrus orbiculatus

Asian Bittersweet

Very Common5 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Very Common4 obs.

Plethodon cinereus

Eastern Red-Backed Salamander

Very Common4 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common4 obs.

Sayornis phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

Common3 obs.

Rosa multiflora

Many-Flower Rose

Common3 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Common3 obs.

Alliaria petiolata

garlic mustard

Common3 obs.

Vireo solitarius

Solitary Vireo

Common2 obs.

Sitta carolinensis

White-Breasted Nuthatch (Interior West)

Common2 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Occasional2 obs.

Chinavia hilaris

Green Stink Bug

Occasional2 obs.

Rhamnus cathartica

purging buckthorn

Occasional2 obs.

Junco hyemalis

dark-eyed junco

Occasional2 obs.

Cichorium intybus

chicory

Occasional2 obs.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Occasional2 obs.

Graphocephala coccinea

Candy-Striped Leafhopper

Rare2 obs.

Phyciodes tharos

Pearl Crescent

Rare2 obs.

Melanoplus femurrubrum

Red-Legged Grasshopper

Rare2 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+170%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Tompkins County County, New York

Nearby Natural Areas

Ithaca

Importance: 0.50

100 species

0% vs. current

Tompkins County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

Beebe Lake

Importance: 0.35

83 species

+20% vs. current

Allan H. Treman State Marine Park

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Cayuga Inlet

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Lake Treman

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Swim Area

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Jennings Pond

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% 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 Tompkins 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

+170%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Tompkins County County, New York

Nearby Natural Areas

Ithaca

Importance: 0.50

100 species

0% vs. current

Tompkins County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

Beebe Lake

Importance: 0.35

83 species

+20% vs. current

Allan H. Treman State Marine Park

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Cayuga Inlet

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Lake Treman

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Swim Area

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Jennings Pond

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% 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 15 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 15 locations

87th percentile for diversity

vs. Ithaca

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Carpenter Ant

Very Common6 obs.

Celastrus orbiculatus

Asian Bittersweet

Very Common5 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Very Common4 obs.

Plethodon cinereus

Eastern Red-Backed Salamander

Very Common4 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common4 obs.

Sayornis phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

Common3 obs.

Rosa multiflora

Many-Flower Rose

Common3 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Common3 obs.

Alliaria petiolata

garlic mustard

Common3 obs.

Vireo solitarius

Solitary Vireo

Common2 obs.

Sitta carolinensis

White-Breasted Nuthatch (Interior West)

Common2 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Occasional2 obs.

Chinavia hilaris

Green Stink Bug

Occasional2 obs.

Rhamnus cathartica

purging buckthorn

Occasional2 obs.

Junco hyemalis

dark-eyed junco

Occasional2 obs.

Cichorium intybus

chicory

Occasional2 obs.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Occasional2 obs.

Graphocephala coccinea

Candy-Striped Leafhopper

Rare2 obs.

Phyciodes tharos

Pearl Crescent

Rare2 obs.

Melanoplus femurrubrum

Red-Legged Grasshopper

Rare2 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.