Pohick Bay

Ecosystem Overview

The Pohick Bay ecosystem supports 30 documented wildlife species across 24 taxonomic genera. Located in Fairfax County, Virginia, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 7 frequently observed species and 5 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Fairfax County nearby has 70% more documented species, Pohick Bay offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #10 for species diversity among 27 Fairfax County County natural areas, placing it in the 63th 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

#10

Regional Rank

Out of 27 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common9 species

Occasional9 species

Rare5 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#10 of 27 locations

63th percentile for diversity

vs. Fairfax County

-70% 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 30 total documented species.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Very Common9 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common6 obs.

Aythya americana

Redhead

Very Common6 obs.

Mareca strepera

Gadwall

Very Common6 obs.

Aythya valisineria

Canvasback

Very Common5 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Common5 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Common4 obs.

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

Common4 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Common4 obs.

Dorosoma cepedianum

Eastern Gizzard Shad

Common3 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Common3 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Occasional3 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Occasional2 obs.

Larus marinus

great black-backed gull

Occasional2 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional2 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional2 obs.

Dolomedes triton

Six-Spotted Fishing Spider

Occasional1 obs.

Acris crepitans

Eastern Cricket Frog

Rare1 obs.

Protonotaria citrea

Prothonotary Warbler

Rare1 obs.

Strix varia

barred owl

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 Pohick Bay. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-51%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Fairfax County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Fairfax County

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-70% vs. current

Vienna

Importance: 0.43

100 species

-70% vs. current

Burke Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-70% vs. current

Woodglen Lake

Importance: 0.35

46 species

-35% vs. current

Lake Accotink

Importance: 0.35

43 species

-30% vs. current

Lake Mercer

Importance: 0.35

36 species

-17% vs. current

Lake Fairfax

Importance: 0.35

32 species

-6% vs. current

Meadow Pond

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+11% 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 Fairfax 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

-51%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Fairfax County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Fairfax County

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-70% vs. current

Vienna

Importance: 0.43

100 species

-70% vs. current

Burke Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-70% vs. current

Woodglen Lake

Importance: 0.35

46 species

-35% vs. current

Lake Accotink

Importance: 0.35

43 species

-30% vs. current

Lake Mercer

Importance: 0.35

36 species

-17% vs. current

Lake Fairfax

Importance: 0.35

32 species

-6% vs. current

Meadow Pond

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+11% 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

#10

Regional Rank

Out of 27 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common9 species

Occasional9 species

Rare5 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#10 of 27 locations

63th percentile for diversity

vs. Fairfax County

-70% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 30 total documented species.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Very Common9 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common6 obs.

Aythya americana

Redhead

Very Common6 obs.

Mareca strepera

Gadwall

Very Common6 obs.

Aythya valisineria

Canvasback

Very Common5 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Common5 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Common4 obs.

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

Common4 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Common4 obs.

Dorosoma cepedianum

Eastern Gizzard Shad

Common3 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Common3 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Occasional3 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Occasional2 obs.

Larus marinus

great black-backed gull

Occasional2 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional2 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional2 obs.

Dolomedes triton

Six-Spotted Fishing Spider

Occasional1 obs.

Acris crepitans

Eastern Cricket Frog

Rare1 obs.

Protonotaria citrea

Prothonotary Warbler

Rare1 obs.

Strix varia

barred owl

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 30 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.