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Oso Flaco Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Oso Flaco Lake ecosystem supports 44 documented wildlife species across 40 taxonomic genera. Located in san luis obispo county, california, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 9 frequently observed species and 8 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While San Luis Obispo nearby has 56% more documented species, Oso Flaco Lake offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #11 for species diversity among 22 san luis obispo county County natural areas, placing it in the 50th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

44
Total Species
Documented wildlife species
40
Genus Diversity
Taxonomic genera represented
23
Common Species
Frequently observed species
21
Rare Species
Occasionally documented species
#11
Regional Rank
Out of 22 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common9 species
Common14 species
Occasional13 species
Rare8 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking
#11 of 22 locations
50th percentile for diversity
vs. San Luis Obispo
-56% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 44 total documented species.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Very Common23 obs.
Spatula cyanoptera

Spatula cyanoptera

Cinnamon Teal

Very Common12 obs.
Podiceps nigricollis

Podiceps nigricollis

black-necked grebe

Very Common11 obs.
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Very Common9 obs.
Spatula clypeata

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Very Common8 obs.
Hirundo rustica

Hirundo rustica

barn swallow

Common8 obs.
Podilymbus podiceps

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Common8 obs.
Anas platyrhynchos

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common7 obs.
Ardea herodias

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common7 obs.
Fulica americana

Fulica americana

American Coot

Common6 obs.
Nycticorax nycticorax

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Common6 obs.
Phalaropus lobatus

Phalaropus lobatus

red-necked phalarope

Occasional5 obs.
Setophaga petechia

Setophaga petechia

Yellow Warbler

Occasional5 obs.
Cistothorus palustris

Cistothorus palustris

Marsh Wren

Occasional4 obs.
Tachycineta bicolor

Tachycineta bicolor

Tree/Violet-Green Swallow

Occasional3 obs.
Botaurus lentiginosus

Botaurus lentiginosus

American Bittern

Occasional3 obs.
Sayornis nigricans

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Occasional2 obs.
Pandion haliaetus

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Rare2 obs.
Rallus limicola

Rallus limicola

Virginia Rail

Rare2 obs.
Actinemys marmorata

Actinemys marmorata

western pond turtle

Rare2 obs.

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No comparable locations found in this region.

Nearby Wildlife Areas in San Luis Obispo County

Discover 8 other wildlife-rich locations near Oso Flaco Lake. Each offers unique biodiversity and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Regional Wildlife Network

These nearby locations complement Oso Flaco Lakewithin San Luis Obispo County's wildlife network. Species counts reflect documented observations and help identify the most biodiverse areas for your nature explorations.

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