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

Black Skimmer Population Trend in Virginia

All statesWetland birds

Black Skimmer in Virginia has fallen sharply: down 73% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

-73%Since 1974TrendPercent 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 →
3Routes 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 →
17YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Black Skimmer 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 →

Black Skimmer has fallen sharply in Virginia: down 73% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

Black Skimmer Survey Routes in Virginia

Routes recording Black Skimmer 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 →
Quinby120241966
Chincoteag W120051992
Cape Charles120151992

Black Skimmer Population Trend in Other States

alabamacaliforniadelawarefloridageorgialouisianamarylandmississippinew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinasouth-carolinatexas

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