Sheldon Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Sheldon Lake ecosystem supports 15 documented wildlife species across 14 taxonomic genera. Located in Larimer County, Colorado, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 4 frequently observed species and 2 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Fort Collins nearby has 85% more documented species, Sheldon Lake offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #9 for species diversity among 45 Larimer County County natural areas, placing it in the 80th 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 45 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common4 species

Occasional5 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#9 of 45 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Fort Collins

-85% 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 15 total documented species.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Very Common6 obs.

Mergus merganser

goosander

Very Common6 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Very Common5 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common4 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Very Common3 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Common3 obs.

Bucephala clangula

common goldeneye

Common3 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Common2 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common2 obs.

Quiscalus quiscula

Common Grackle

Common1 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Common1 obs.

Helianthus maximiliani

Maximilian's Sunflower

Occasional1 obs.

Scudderia furcata

Fork-Tailed Bush Katydid

Occasional1 obs.

Branta bernicla

dark-bellied brent goose

Occasional1 obs.

Hirundo rustica

barn swallow

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

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-73%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Larimer County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Fort Collins

Importance: 0.50

100 species

-85% vs. current

Loveland

Importance: 0.46

1 species

+1400% vs. current

Larimer County

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-85% vs. current

Estes Park

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-85% vs. current

Loveland

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-85% vs. current

Bear Lake

Importance: 0.35

23 species

-35% vs. current

Emerald Lake

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+7% vs. current

Dixon Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

11 species

+36% 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 Larimer 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

-73%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Larimer County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Fort Collins

Importance: 0.50

100 species

-85% vs. current

Loveland

Importance: 0.46

1 species

+1400% vs. current

Larimer County

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-85% vs. current

Estes Park

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-85% vs. current

Loveland

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-85% vs. current

Bear Lake

Importance: 0.35

23 species

-35% vs. current

Emerald Lake

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+7% vs. current

Dixon Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

11 species

+36% 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 45 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common4 species

Occasional5 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#9 of 45 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Fort Collins

-85% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 15 total documented species.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Very Common6 obs.

Mergus merganser

goosander

Very Common6 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Very Common5 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common4 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Very Common3 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Common3 obs.

Bucephala clangula

common goldeneye

Common3 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Common2 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common2 obs.

Quiscalus quiscula

Common Grackle

Common1 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Common1 obs.

Helianthus maximiliani

Maximilian's Sunflower

Occasional1 obs.

Scudderia furcata

Fork-Tailed Bush Katydid

Occasional1 obs.

Branta bernicla

dark-bellied brent goose

Occasional1 obs.

Hirundo rustica

barn swallow

Occasional1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 15 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.