Dorchester County

Ecosystem Overview

The Dorchester County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 84 taxonomic genera. Located in Dorchester County, Maryland, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Cambridge, Dorchester County hosts 163% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 8 Dorchester County County natural areas, placing it in the 88th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

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 Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 8 locations

88th percentile for diversity

vs. Cambridge

+163% 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 100 total documented species.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common60 obs.

Libellula needhami

Needham's Skimmer

Very Common53 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common51 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Very Common40 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common31 obs.

Ischnura ramburii

Rambur's Forktail

Common30 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Common24 obs.

Aythya valisineria

Canvasback

Common22 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Common22 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Common22 obs.

Erythrodiplax berenice

Seaside Dragonlet

Common21 obs.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Occasional20 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional19 obs.

Cygnus columbianus

whistling swan

Occasional18 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Occasional17 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Occasional17 obs.

Lithobates sphenocephalus

Southern Leopard Frog

Occasional17 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Rare16 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Rare15 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Rare15 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 Dorchester County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+614%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Dorchester County County, Maryland

Nearby Natural Areas

Cambridge

Importance: 0.40

38 species

+163% vs. current

Blackwater River

Importance: 0.35

46 species

+117% vs. current

Shorts Creek Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Big Millpond

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Pinks Pond

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Hurlock

Importance: 0.29

9 species

+1011% vs. current

Vienna

Importance: 0.28

1 species

+9900% 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

100

Species Count

+614%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Dorchester County County, Maryland

Nearby Natural Areas

Cambridge

Importance: 0.40

38 species

+163% vs. current

Blackwater River

Importance: 0.35

46 species

+117% vs. current

Shorts Creek Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Big Millpond

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Pinks Pond

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Hurlock

Importance: 0.29

9 species

+1011% vs. current

Vienna

Importance: 0.28

1 species

+9900% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

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 Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 8 locations

88th percentile for diversity

vs. Cambridge

+163% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common60 obs.

Libellula needhami

Needham's Skimmer

Very Common53 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common51 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Very Common40 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common31 obs.

Ischnura ramburii

Rambur's Forktail

Common30 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Common24 obs.

Aythya valisineria

Canvasback

Common22 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Common22 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Common22 obs.

Erythrodiplax berenice

Seaside Dragonlet

Common21 obs.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Occasional20 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional19 obs.

Cygnus columbianus

whistling swan

Occasional18 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Occasional17 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Occasional17 obs.

Lithobates sphenocephalus

Southern Leopard Frog

Occasional17 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Rare16 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Rare15 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Rare15 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 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.