Carolina Beach

Ecosystem Overview

The Carolina Beach ecosystem supports 69 documented wildlife species across 64 taxonomic genera. Located in New Hanover County, North Carolina, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 14 frequently observed species and 13 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Wilmington nearby has 31% more documented species, Carolina Beach offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #5 for species diversity among 9 New Hanover County County natural areas, placing it in the 44th 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 9 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common14 species

Common21 species

Occasional21 species

Rare13 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 9 locations

44th percentile for diversity

vs. Wilmington

-31% 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 69 total documented species.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Very Common7 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Very Common5 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common4 obs.

Egretta tricolor

Tricolor Heron

Very Common4 obs.

Uniola paniculata

seaside-oats

Very Common3 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common3 obs.

Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Heron

Common3 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common3 obs.

Hydrocotyle bonariensis

Common3 obs.

Rangia cuneata

Atlantic rangia

Common2 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Common2 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Occasional2 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Occasional2 obs.

Helenium amarum

bitterweed

Occasional2 obs.

Oliva sayana

lettered olive

Occasional2 obs.

Butorides virescens

green heron

Occasional2 obs.

Anicla infecta

Green Cutworm Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Taeniaptera trivittata

Rare1 obs.

Aedes taeniorhynchus

Black Salt Marsh Mosquito

Rare1 obs.

Anisomorpha buprestoides

Florida Stick Insect

Rare1 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 Carolina Beach. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+30%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in New Hanover County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Wilmington

Importance: 0.51

100 species

-31% vs. current

New Hanover County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-31% vs. current

Wetlands High Water Marks

Importance: 0.35

33 species

+109% vs. current

Carolina Lake

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+431% vs. current

Nhc Arboretum Koi Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+3350% vs. current

Leutze Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+6800% vs. current

Wrightsville Beach

Importance: 0.30

100 species

-31% vs. current

Kure Beach

Importance: 0.26

76 species

-9% 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 New Hanover 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

+30%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in New Hanover County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Wilmington

Importance: 0.51

100 species

-31% vs. current

New Hanover County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-31% vs. current

Wetlands High Water Marks

Importance: 0.35

33 species

+109% vs. current

Carolina Lake

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+431% vs. current

Nhc Arboretum Koi Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+3350% vs. current

Leutze Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+6800% vs. current

Wrightsville Beach

Importance: 0.30

100 species

-31% vs. current

Kure Beach

Importance: 0.26

76 species

-9% 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 9 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common14 species

Common21 species

Occasional21 species

Rare13 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 9 locations

44th percentile for diversity

vs. Wilmington

-31% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 69 total documented species.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Very Common7 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Very Common5 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common4 obs.

Egretta tricolor

Tricolor Heron

Very Common4 obs.

Uniola paniculata

seaside-oats

Very Common3 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common3 obs.

Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Heron

Common3 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common3 obs.

Hydrocotyle bonariensis

Common3 obs.

Rangia cuneata

Atlantic rangia

Common2 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Common2 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Occasional2 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Occasional2 obs.

Helenium amarum

bitterweed

Occasional2 obs.

Oliva sayana

lettered olive

Occasional2 obs.

Butorides virescens

green heron

Occasional2 obs.

Anicla infecta

Green Cutworm Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Taeniaptera trivittata

Rare1 obs.

Aedes taeniorhynchus

Black Salt Marsh Mosquito

Rare1 obs.

Anisomorpha buprestoides

Florida Stick Insect

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 69 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.