Lake Wingra

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake Wingra ecosystem supports 58 documented wildlife species across 55 taxonomic genera. Located in Dane County, Wisconsin, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 12 frequently observed species and 11 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Dane County nearby has 42% more documented species, Lake Wingra offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #17 for species diversity among 115 Dane County County natural areas, placing it in the 85th 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

#17

Regional Rank

Out of 115 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common12 species

Common18 species

Occasional17 species

Rare11 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#17 of 115 locations

85th percentile for diversity

vs. Dane County

-42% 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 58 total documented species.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Very Common50 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common28 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common20 obs.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Very Common19 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Very Common13 obs.

Mergus serrator

Red-breasted Merganser

Common12 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Common8 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common8 obs.

Ondatra zibethicus

Muskrat

Common8 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Common7 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Common6 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Occasional5 obs.

Hirundo rustica

barn swallow

Occasional5 obs.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Occasional4 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Occasional3 obs.

Nymphaea odorata

American white waterlily

Occasional3 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Occasional3 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Rare3 obs.

Lepomis macrochirus

Bluegill sunfish

Rare3 obs.

Esox masquinongy

Wisconsin Muskie

Rare2 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 Lake Wingra. 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 Lake Wingra. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-11%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Dane County County, Wisconsin

Nearby Natural Areas

Dane County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-42% vs. current

City Of Middleton

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-42% vs. current

Fitchburg

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-42% vs. current

Stoughton

Importance: 0.37

70 species

-17% vs. current

Oregon

Importance: 0.36

18 species

+222% vs. current

City Of Verona

Importance: 0.35

18 species

+222% vs. current

Deforest

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+346% vs. current

Madison

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-42% 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 Dane 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

-11%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Dane County County, Wisconsin

Nearby Natural Areas

Dane County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-42% vs. current

City Of Middleton

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-42% vs. current

Fitchburg

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-42% vs. current

Stoughton

Importance: 0.37

70 species

-17% vs. current

Oregon

Importance: 0.36

18 species

+222% vs. current

City Of Verona

Importance: 0.35

18 species

+222% vs. current

Deforest

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+346% vs. current

Madison

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-42% 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

#17

Regional Rank

Out of 115 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common12 species

Common18 species

Occasional17 species

Rare11 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#17 of 115 locations

85th percentile for diversity

vs. Dane County

-42% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 58 total documented species.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Very Common50 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common28 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common20 obs.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Very Common19 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Very Common13 obs.

Mergus serrator

Red-breasted Merganser

Common12 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Common8 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common8 obs.

Ondatra zibethicus

Muskrat

Common8 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Common7 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Common6 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Occasional5 obs.

Hirundo rustica

barn swallow

Occasional5 obs.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Occasional4 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Occasional3 obs.

Nymphaea odorata

American white waterlily

Occasional3 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Occasional3 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Rare3 obs.

Lepomis macrochirus

Bluegill sunfish

Rare3 obs.

Esox masquinongy

Wisconsin Muskie

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 58 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.