BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 2 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Black-legged Kittiwake In BCR 2

All regionsBCR 2Wetland birds

Black-legged Kittiwake in BCR 2 has surged: up 28× on the route-weighted index since 1990.

28×Since 1990TrendPercent 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 →
6Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
34YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 →

Black-legged Kittiwake has surged in BCR 2: up 28× on the route-weighted index since 1990.

Black-legged Kittiwake In BCR 2 Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Black-legged Kittiwake in BCR 2 is projected to rise about 29× by 2030 — from 1.7 in 2025 to a central estimate of 48 (95% range 0.00–130). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±805.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

29×Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
48Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–13095% 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 →
±805.6%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, Black-legged Kittiwake in BCR 2 is projected to rise about 29× by 2030 — from 1.7 in 2025 to a central estimate of 48 (95% range 0.00–130). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±805.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19862030
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 →
2026430.00126
2027440.00127
2028450.00128
2029470.00129
2030480.00130

Routes In BCR 2

Routes recording Black-legged Kittiwake in BCR 2.
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 →
KotzebueALASKA102025
ChiniakALASKA92022
Kotzebue (Short)ALASKA41994
Kodiak 2ALASKA22023
Cape NomeALASKA22023
Cold BayALASKA11997

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.