BirdAnalyst
Species · Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Woodcock Population Trend in Virginia

All statesShorebirds

American Woodcock in Virginia has collapsed: down 75% on the route-weighted index since 1973.

-75%Since 1973TrendPercent 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 →
22Routes 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 →
25YearsYears 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 VirginiaNotable 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 Virginia: down 75% on the route-weighted index since 1973.

American Woodcock Population Forecast in Virginia

If the recent trend holds, American Woodcock in Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±312.6%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2028TrendPercent 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 →
0.00Projected 2028 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.1495% 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 →
±312.6%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 Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±312.6%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662028
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 →
20240.000.000.14
20250.000.000.14
20260.000.000.14
20270.000.000.14
20280.000.000.14

American Woodcock Survey Routes in Virginia

Routes recording American Woodcock in Virginia.
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 →
Churchville519661966
Bald Knob420222022
Shipman219901990
Star Tannery120111981
Taylorstown119701970
W Augusta119731973
Mountain Lk.120111994
Shenandoa Np119971997
Ft Pickett S119951995
Fincastle119871987
Amherst119871987
Big Island120232023
Covesville119871987
Brandon120011995
Hall119891978
Church Road120171993
White Stone119931984
Irisburg120032003
Newsoms120162016
Cornland119751975
Gladys120092009
Appomattox120002000

American Woodcock Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinatennesseetexasvermontwest-virginiawisconsin

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