Swisshelm Park

Ecosystem Overview

The Swisshelm Park ecosystem supports 92 documented wildlife species across 86 taxonomic genera. Located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 19 frequently observed species and 18 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Pittsburgh nearby has 8% more documented species, Swisshelm Park offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #24 for species diversity among 175 Allegheny County County natural areas, placing it in the 86th 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

#24

Regional Rank

Out of 175 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common28 species

Occasional27 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#24 of 175 locations

86th percentile for diversity

vs. Pittsburgh

-8% 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 92 total documented species.

Argia fumipennis

Variable Dancer

Very Common3 obs.

Semotilus atromaculatus

Chub

Very Common2 obs.

Bombycilla cedrorum

cedar waxwing

Very Common2 obs.

Phyciodes tharos

Pearl Crescent

Very Common2 obs.

Pieris rapae

small white

Very Common2 obs.

Passerina cyanea

Indigo Bunting

Common2 obs.

Archilestes grandis

Great Spreadwing

Common2 obs.

Colias eurytheme

Orange Sulphur

Common2 obs.

Lestes rectangularis

Slender Spreadwing

Common2 obs.

Caenurgina crassiuscula

Clover Looper

Common1 obs.

Melanoplus differentialis

Differential Grasshopper

Common1 obs.

Asphondylia solidaginis

Occasional1 obs.

Prosapia bicincta

Occasional1 obs.

Cisseps fulvicollis

Yellow-Collared Scape Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Epargyreus clarus

Silver-Spotted Skipper

Occasional1 obs.

Euptoieta claudia

Variegated Fritillary

Occasional1 obs.

Hemaris thysbe

Hummingbird Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Oncopeltus fasciatus

Large Milkweed Bug

Rare1 obs.

Syritta pipiens

Hover fly

Rare1 obs.

Sympetrum vicinum

Autumn Meadowhawk

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 Swisshelm Park. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+109%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Allegheny County County, Pennsylvania

Nearby Natural Areas

Pittsburgh

Importance: 0.68

100 species

-8% vs. current

Allegheny County

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-8% vs. current

McKeesport

Importance: 0.46

6 species

+1433% vs. current

Wilkinsburg

Importance: 0.45

25 species

+268% vs. current

Munhall

Importance: 0.44

3 species

+2967% vs. current

Monroeville

Importance: 0.44

19 species

+384% vs. current

Bethel Park

Importance: 0.43

90 species

+2% vs. current

West Mifflin

Importance: 0.43

9 species

+922% 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 Allegheny 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

+109%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Allegheny County County, Pennsylvania

Nearby Natural Areas

Pittsburgh

Importance: 0.68

100 species

-8% vs. current

Allegheny County

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-8% vs. current

McKeesport

Importance: 0.46

6 species

+1433% vs. current

Wilkinsburg

Importance: 0.45

25 species

+268% vs. current

Munhall

Importance: 0.44

3 species

+2967% vs. current

Monroeville

Importance: 0.44

19 species

+384% vs. current

Bethel Park

Importance: 0.43

90 species

+2% vs. current

West Mifflin

Importance: 0.43

9 species

+922% 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

#24

Regional Rank

Out of 175 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common28 species

Occasional27 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#24 of 175 locations

86th percentile for diversity

vs. Pittsburgh

-8% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 92 total documented species.

Argia fumipennis

Variable Dancer

Very Common3 obs.

Semotilus atromaculatus

Chub

Very Common2 obs.

Bombycilla cedrorum

cedar waxwing

Very Common2 obs.

Phyciodes tharos

Pearl Crescent

Very Common2 obs.

Pieris rapae

small white

Very Common2 obs.

Passerina cyanea

Indigo Bunting

Common2 obs.

Archilestes grandis

Great Spreadwing

Common2 obs.

Colias eurytheme

Orange Sulphur

Common2 obs.

Lestes rectangularis

Slender Spreadwing

Common2 obs.

Caenurgina crassiuscula

Clover Looper

Common1 obs.

Melanoplus differentialis

Differential Grasshopper

Common1 obs.

Asphondylia solidaginis

Occasional1 obs.

Prosapia bicincta

Occasional1 obs.

Cisseps fulvicollis

Yellow-Collared Scape Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Epargyreus clarus

Silver-Spotted Skipper

Occasional1 obs.

Euptoieta claudia

Variegated Fritillary

Occasional1 obs.

Hemaris thysbe

Hummingbird Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Oncopeltus fasciatus

Large Milkweed Bug

Rare1 obs.

Syritta pipiens

Hover fly

Rare1 obs.

Sympetrum vicinum

Autumn Meadowhawk

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 92 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.