Betsie Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Betsie Lake ecosystem supports 14 documented wildlife species across 13 taxonomic genera. Located in Benzie County, Michigan, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 3 frequently observed species and 2 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Benzie County nearby has 86% more documented species, Betsie Lake offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 11 Benzie County County natural areas, placing it in the 64th 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 11 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common3 species

Common5 species

Occasional4 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 11 locations

64th percentile for diversity

vs. Benzie County

-86% 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 14 total documented species.

Cygnus buccinator

trumpeter swan

Very Common2 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Very Common2 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common2 obs.

Rabdophaga strobiloides

Very Common1 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common1 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common1 obs.

Bombycilla cedrorum

cedar waxwing

Common1 obs.

Viburnum plicatum

Japanese Snowball

Common1 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Common1 obs.

Tyrannus tyrannus

Eastern Kingbird

Common1 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common1 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Occasional1 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional1 obs.

Falco columbarius

merlin

Occasional1 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 Betsie Lake. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-36%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Benzie County County, Michigan

Nearby Natural Areas

Benzie County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-86% vs. current

Lower Herring Lake

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+133% vs. current

Upper Herring Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+180% vs. current

Little Platte Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+600% vs. current

Lake Ann

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+600% vs. current

Frankfort

Importance: 0.30

21 species

-33% vs. current

Elberta

Importance: 0.25

34 species

-59% vs. current

Beulah

Importance: 0.25

4 species

+250% 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 Benzie 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

-36%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Benzie County County, Michigan

Nearby Natural Areas

Benzie County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-86% vs. current

Lower Herring Lake

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+133% vs. current

Upper Herring Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+180% vs. current

Little Platte Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+600% vs. current

Lake Ann

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+600% vs. current

Frankfort

Importance: 0.30

21 species

-33% vs. current

Elberta

Importance: 0.25

34 species

-59% vs. current

Beulah

Importance: 0.25

4 species

+250% 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 11 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common3 species

Common5 species

Occasional4 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 11 locations

64th percentile for diversity

vs. Benzie County

-86% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 14 total documented species.

Cygnus buccinator

trumpeter swan

Very Common2 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Very Common2 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common2 obs.

Rabdophaga strobiloides

Very Common1 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common1 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common1 obs.

Bombycilla cedrorum

cedar waxwing

Common1 obs.

Viburnum plicatum

Japanese Snowball

Common1 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Common1 obs.

Tyrannus tyrannus

Eastern Kingbird

Common1 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common1 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Occasional1 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional1 obs.

Falco columbarius

merlin

Occasional1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 14 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.