Species · BCR 9 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Caspian Tern In Great Basin

Caspian Tern in Great Basin has fallen sharply: down 67% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

-67%Since 1974
63Routes In Region
52Years

Notable Signals

long arc declinecomputed index

Caspian Tern has fallen sharply in Great Basin: down 67% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Caspian Tern in Great Basin is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.45 (95% range 0.00–0.97). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±873.3%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029
0.45Projected 2029 index
0.000.9795% range
±873.3%Backtest error
19722029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20250.450.000.96
20260.450.000.97
20270.450.000.97
20280.450.000.97
20290.450.000.97

Routes In Great Basin

Routes recording Caspian Tern in Great Basin.
Iron GateCALIFORNIA792019
DorrisCALIFORNIA112019
TonasketWASHINGTON91993
Ruby ValleyNEVADA81999
Harney LakeOREGON62001
IngallsCALIFORNIA51999
CallaoUTAH42023
Moses LakeWASHINGTON42011
L. WenatcheeWASHINGTON42003
CedarvilleCALIFORNIA31998
Kyle CanyonIDAHO31986
NixonNEVADA32022
Bald Mtn.NEVADA32010
OthelloWASHINGTON31991
Honey LakeCALIFORNIA21976
Clear Lk ResCALIFORNIA22018
AcequiaIDAHO22002
UmatillaOREGON22022
Malheur NwrOREGON21997
LeamingtonUTAH22016
QuincyWASHINGTON22012
EwanWASHINGTON22019
EllensburgWASHINGTON22009
OdessaWASHINGTON22007
Lake ChelanWASHINGTON21996

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