Surfside Beach

Ecosystem Overview

The Surfside Beach ecosystem supports 61 documented wildlife species across 55 taxonomic genera. Located in Brazoria County, Texas, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 13 frequently observed species and 12 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Angleton, Surfside Beach hosts 259% more species diversity. This location ranks #5 for species diversity among 20 Brazoria 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 20 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common18 species

Occasional18 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 20 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Angleton

+259% 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 61 total documented species.

Donax variabilis

coquina clam

Very Common5 obs.

Egretta tricolor

Tricolor Heron

Very Common5 obs.

Emerita benedicti

Very Common4 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Very Common4 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Very Common3 obs.

Raeta plicatella

Common3 obs.

Rallus crepitans

Clapper Rail

Common3 obs.

Quiscalus mexicanus

Great-tailed Grackle

Common3 obs.

Atrina serrata

sawtooth penshell

Common3 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common3 obs.

Calidris minutilla

least sandpiper

Common2 obs.

Nyctanassa violacea

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

Occasional2 obs.

Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Heron

Occasional2 obs.

Ixoreus naevius

Varied Thrush

Occasional2 obs.

Sturnus vulgaris

starling

Occasional2 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Occasional2 obs.

Passerculus sandwichensis

Savannah Sparrow

Occasional2 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Rare2 obs.

Croton punctatus

Beach-tea

Rare2 obs.

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

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 Surfside Beach. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+56%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Brazoria County County, Texas

Nearby Natural Areas

Angleton

Importance: 0.43

17 species

+259% vs. current

Brazoria County

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-39% vs. current

Freeport

Importance: 0.39

72 species

-15% vs. current

Lake Jackson

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-39% vs. current

Clute

Importance: 0.37

4 species

+1425% vs. current

Wilderness Pond

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+369% vs. current

Iowa Colony

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+917% vs. current

Shy Pond

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+1933% 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 Brazoria 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

+56%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Brazoria County County, Texas

Nearby Natural Areas

Angleton

Importance: 0.43

17 species

+259% vs. current

Brazoria County

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-39% vs. current

Freeport

Importance: 0.39

72 species

-15% vs. current

Lake Jackson

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-39% vs. current

Clute

Importance: 0.37

4 species

+1425% vs. current

Wilderness Pond

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+369% vs. current

Iowa Colony

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+917% vs. current

Shy Pond

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+1933% 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 20 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common18 species

Occasional18 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 20 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Angleton

+259% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 61 total documented species.

Donax variabilis

coquina clam

Very Common5 obs.

Egretta tricolor

Tricolor Heron

Very Common5 obs.

Emerita benedicti

Very Common4 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Very Common4 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Very Common3 obs.

Raeta plicatella

Common3 obs.

Rallus crepitans

Clapper Rail

Common3 obs.

Quiscalus mexicanus

Great-tailed Grackle

Common3 obs.

Atrina serrata

sawtooth penshell

Common3 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common3 obs.

Calidris minutilla

least sandpiper

Common2 obs.

Nyctanassa violacea

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

Occasional2 obs.

Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Heron

Occasional2 obs.

Ixoreus naevius

Varied Thrush

Occasional2 obs.

Sturnus vulgaris

starling

Occasional2 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Occasional2 obs.

Passerculus sandwichensis

Savannah Sparrow

Occasional2 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Rare2 obs.

Croton punctatus

Beach-tea

Rare2 obs.

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 61 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.