Silver Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Silver Lake ecosystem supports 24 documented wildlife species across 22 taxonomic genera. Located in Prince William County, Virginia, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 5 frequently observed species and 4 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Quantico, Silver Lake hosts 0% more species diversity. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 8 Prince William 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

Regional Rank

Out of 8 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common8 species

Occasional7 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 8 locations

63th percentile for diversity

vs. Quantico

+0% 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 24 total documented species.

Argia sedula

Blue-ringed Dancer

Very Common4 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Very Common2 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Very Common2 obs.

Ischnura verticalis

Eastern Forktail

Very Common1 obs.

Libellula cyanea

Spangled Skimmer

Very Common1 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Common1 obs.

Perithemis tenera

Eastern Amberwing

Common1 obs.

Celithemis fasciata

Banded Pennant

Common1 obs.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Red-headed Woodpecker

Common1 obs.

Sphyrapicus varius

yellow-bellied sapsucker

Common1 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Common1 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional1 obs.

Polioptila caerulea

Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

Occasional1 obs.

Tachycineta bicolor

Tree/Violet-Green Swallow

Occasional1 obs.

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Eastern Towhee

Occasional1 obs.

Mergus serrator

Red-breasted Merganser

Occasional1 obs.

Alnus serrulata

Brook-Side Alder

Occasional1 obs.

Phoradendron leucarpum

eastern mistletoe

Rare1 obs.

Plathemis lydia

Common Whitetail

Rare1 obs.

Enallagma basidens

Double-striped Bluet

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 Silver Lake. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+9%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Prince William County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Prince William County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-76% vs. current

Dumfries

Importance: 0.39

3 species

+700% vs. current

Haymarket

Importance: 0.39

1 species

+2300% vs. current

Occoquan

Importance: 0.38

14 species

+71% vs. current

Quantico Creek

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+2300% vs. current

Painted Turtle Pond

Importance: 0.35

30 species

-20% vs. current

Carter's Pond

Importance: 0.20

4 species

+500% 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 Prince William 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

+9%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Prince William County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Prince William County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-76% vs. current

Dumfries

Importance: 0.39

3 species

+700% vs. current

Haymarket

Importance: 0.39

1 species

+2300% vs. current

Occoquan

Importance: 0.38

14 species

+71% vs. current

Quantico Creek

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+2300% vs. current

Painted Turtle Pond

Importance: 0.35

30 species

-20% vs. current

Carter's Pond

Importance: 0.20

4 species

+500% 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 8 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common8 species

Occasional7 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 8 locations

63th percentile for diversity

vs. Quantico

+0% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 24 total documented species.

Argia sedula

Blue-ringed Dancer

Very Common4 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Very Common2 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Very Common2 obs.

Ischnura verticalis

Eastern Forktail

Very Common1 obs.

Libellula cyanea

Spangled Skimmer

Very Common1 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Common1 obs.

Perithemis tenera

Eastern Amberwing

Common1 obs.

Celithemis fasciata

Banded Pennant

Common1 obs.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Red-headed Woodpecker

Common1 obs.

Sphyrapicus varius

yellow-bellied sapsucker

Common1 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Common1 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional1 obs.

Polioptila caerulea

Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

Occasional1 obs.

Tachycineta bicolor

Tree/Violet-Green Swallow

Occasional1 obs.

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Eastern Towhee

Occasional1 obs.

Mergus serrator

Red-breasted Merganser

Occasional1 obs.

Alnus serrulata

Brook-Side Alder

Occasional1 obs.

Phoradendron leucarpum

eastern mistletoe

Rare1 obs.

Plathemis lydia

Common Whitetail

Rare1 obs.

Enallagma basidens

Double-striped Bluet

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 24 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.