Blackwater River

Ecosystem Overview

The Blackwater River ecosystem supports 46 documented wildlife species across 40 taxonomic genera. Located in Dorchester County, Maryland, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 10 frequently observed species and 9 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Cambridge, Blackwater River hosts 21% more species diversity. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 8 Dorchester County County natural areas, placing it in the 75th 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 Common10 species

Common14 species

Occasional13 species

Rare9 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 8 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Cambridge

+21% 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 46 total documented species.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Very Common14 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common9 obs.

Ischnura ramburii

Rambur's Forktail

Very Common7 obs.

Libellula needhami

Needham's Skimmer

Very Common5 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common4 obs.

Sterna forsteri

forster’s tern

Common4 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common4 obs.

Tringa melanoleuca

Greater Yellowlegs

Common4 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Common4 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common4 obs.

Tringa flavipes

lesser yellowlegs

Common3 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Occasional3 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Occasional3 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Occasional3 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional3 obs.

Chelydra serpentina

Snapping Turtle

Occasional3 obs.

Fundulus heteroclitus

Killifish

Occasional2 obs.

Enallagma durum

Big Bluet

Rare2 obs.

Cygnus columbianus

whistling swan

Rare2 obs.

Calidris alpina

dunlin

Rare2 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+109%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Dorchester County County, Maryland

Nearby Natural Areas

Cambridge

Importance: 0.40

38 species

+21% vs. current

Dorchester County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-54% vs. current

Shorts Creek Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+2200% vs. current

Big Millpond

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+4500% vs. current

Pinks Pond

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+4500% vs. current

Hurlock

Importance: 0.29

9 species

+411% vs. current

Vienna

Importance: 0.28

1 species

+4500% 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 Dorchester 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 7 nearby locations in Dorchester County County, Maryland

Nearby Natural Areas

Cambridge

Importance: 0.40

38 species

+21% vs. current

Dorchester County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-54% vs. current

Shorts Creek Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+2200% vs. current

Big Millpond

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+4500% vs. current

Pinks Pond

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+4500% vs. current

Hurlock

Importance: 0.29

9 species

+411% vs. current

Vienna

Importance: 0.28

1 species

+4500% 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 Common10 species

Common14 species

Occasional13 species

Rare9 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 8 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Cambridge

+21% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 46 total documented species.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Very Common14 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common9 obs.

Ischnura ramburii

Rambur's Forktail

Very Common7 obs.

Libellula needhami

Needham's Skimmer

Very Common5 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common4 obs.

Sterna forsteri

forster’s tern

Common4 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common4 obs.

Tringa melanoleuca

Greater Yellowlegs

Common4 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Common4 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common4 obs.

Tringa flavipes

lesser yellowlegs

Common3 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Occasional3 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Occasional3 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Occasional3 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional3 obs.

Chelydra serpentina

Snapping Turtle

Occasional3 obs.

Fundulus heteroclitus

Killifish

Occasional2 obs.

Enallagma durum

Big Bluet

Rare2 obs.

Cygnus columbianus

whistling swan

Rare2 obs.

Calidris alpina

dunlin

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 46 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.