Lake Mercer

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake Mercer ecosystem supports 36 documented wildlife species across 31 taxonomic genera. Located in Fairfax County, Virginia, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 8 frequently observed species and 7 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Fairfax County nearby has 64% more documented species, Lake Mercer offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #8 for species diversity among 27 Fairfax County County natural areas, placing it in the 70th 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 27 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common11 species

Occasional10 species

Rare7 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 27 locations

70th percentile for diversity

vs. Fairfax County

-64% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

‌
‌
‌
‌

Biodiversity Highlights

‌

Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

‌

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 36 total documented species.

Baeolophus bicolor

tufted titmouse

Very Common5 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Very Common5 obs.

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Carolina Wren

Very Common5 obs.

Zonotrichia albicollis

white-throated sparrow

Very Common5 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Very Common4 obs.

Catharus guttatus

Hermit Thrush

Common4 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Common4 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common4 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

Common3 obs.

Corvus ossifragus

fish crow

Common2 obs.

Regulus satrapa

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Common2 obs.

Polioptila caerulea

Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

Occasional2 obs.

Poecile carolinensis

Carolina Chickadee

Occasional2 obs.

Geothlypis trichas

Common Yellowthroat (Arizela Group)

Occasional2 obs.

Setophaga striata

Blackpoll Warbler

Occasional2 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Occasional2 obs.

Dryobates pubescens

Downy Woodpecker

Occasional2 obs.

Vespula maculifrons

Eastern Yellowjacket

Rare1 obs.

Dolichovespula maculata

Baldfaced Hornet

Rare1 obs.

Acris crepitans

Eastern Cricket Frog

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 36 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.

Most Common Species

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

Want the Complete Field Guide?

‌
‌

‌

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

$6.99

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

Email Address (for delivery)

Your field guide will be delivered to this email address. Please double-check for accuracy.

$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-40%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Fairfax County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Fairfax County

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-64% vs. current

Vienna

Importance: 0.43

100 species

-64% vs. current

Burke Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-64% vs. current

Woodglen Lake

Importance: 0.35

46 species

-22% vs. current

Lake Accotink

Importance: 0.35

43 species

-16% vs. current

Lake Fairfax

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+13% vs. current

Pohick Bay

Importance: 0.35

30 species

+20% vs. current

Meadow Pond

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+33% 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

‌

Regional Ranking

‌

Species Count

‌

vs. Regional Average

‌

Nearby Natural Areas

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

About This Comparison

‌
‌
‌

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-40%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Fairfax County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Fairfax County

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-64% vs. current

Vienna

Importance: 0.43

100 species

-64% vs. current

Burke Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-64% vs. current

Woodglen Lake

Importance: 0.35

46 species

-22% vs. current

Lake Accotink

Importance: 0.35

43 species

-16% vs. current

Lake Fairfax

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+13% vs. current

Pohick Bay

Importance: 0.35

30 species

+20% vs. current

Meadow Pond

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+33% 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 27 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common11 species

Occasional10 species

Rare7 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 27 locations

70th percentile for diversity

vs. Fairfax County

-64% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 36 total documented species.

Baeolophus bicolor

tufted titmouse

Very Common5 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Very Common5 obs.

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Carolina Wren

Very Common5 obs.

Zonotrichia albicollis

white-throated sparrow

Very Common5 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Very Common4 obs.

Catharus guttatus

Hermit Thrush

Common4 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Common4 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common4 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

Common3 obs.

Corvus ossifragus

fish crow

Common2 obs.

Regulus satrapa

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Common2 obs.

Polioptila caerulea

Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

Occasional2 obs.

Poecile carolinensis

Carolina Chickadee

Occasional2 obs.

Geothlypis trichas

Common Yellowthroat (Arizela Group)

Occasional2 obs.

Setophaga striata

Blackpoll Warbler

Occasional2 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Occasional2 obs.

Dryobates pubescens

Downy Woodpecker

Occasional2 obs.

Vespula maculifrons

Eastern Yellowjacket

Rare1 obs.

Dolichovespula maculata

Baldfaced Hornet

Rare1 obs.

Acris crepitans

Eastern Cricket Frog

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 36 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.