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Species · Massachusetts · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Woodcock Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesShorebirds

American Woodcock in Massachusetts has fallen sharply: down 58% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-58%Since 1969TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
18Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
22YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable American Woodcock Trends in MassachusettsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc declinecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

American Woodcock has fallen sharply in Massachusetts: down 58% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

American Woodcock Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, American Woodcock in Massachusetts is projected to stay roughly flat through 2021, near 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.21). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±42.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2021TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.04Projected 2021 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.2195% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±42.9%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, American Woodcock in Massachusetts is projected to stay roughly flat through 2021, near 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.21). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±42.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662021
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20170.050.000.22
20180.040.000.21
20190.040.000.21
20200.040.000.21
20210.040.000.21

American Woodcock Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording American Woodcock in Massachusetts.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
N Oxford519731969
Gay Head219961996
E Dennis119871973
Chilmark119731973
Ware River120032003
Cape Cod Ns119991999
Brockton119741974
Maynard119681968
Littleton119721972
Mansfield119681968
E Pepperell119661966
Belchertown120161970
Warren120091968
N Orange119821982
Cummington120091969
Chesterfield120092000
Cheshire119851969
Warren 2120122012

American Woodcock Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsin

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.