BirdAnalyst
Species · New Hampshire · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Downy Woodpecker Population Trend in New Hampshire

All statesForest birds

Downy Woodpecker in New Hampshire has risen sharply: up 71% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+71%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
26Routes 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 →
59YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Downy Woodpecker Trends in New HampshireNotable 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 →

Downy Woodpecker has risen sharply in New Hampshire: up 71% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Downy Woodpecker Population Forecast in New Hampshire

If the recent trend holds, Downy Woodpecker in New Hampshire is projected to rise about 28% by 2030 — from 2.6 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.3 (95% range 2.4–4.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+28%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 →
3.3Projected 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 →
2.4–4.295% 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 →
±10.1%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, Downy Woodpecker in New Hampshire is projected to rise about 28% by 2030 — from 2.6 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.3 (95% range 2.4–4.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20263.22.34.1
20273.32.34.2
20283.32.44.2
20293.32.44.2
20303.32.44.2

Downy Woodpecker Survey Routes in New Hampshire

Routes recording Downy Woodpecker in New Hampshire.
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 →
Dover1420251966
Canterbury620251968
Glen620251975
Walpole520251967
Clarksville520251968
Brentwood419981966
Epsom420251966
Mt Chocorua420241968
Jefferson Hl420241966
Peterborough320251967
Fitzwilliam320241968
Concord320251967
Wilmot320251966
Marlow320251966
Strafford220241966
Gilmantn I W220251970
Lempster220251966
Crawford Not219751967
Milan220251969
Dixville Notch 2220242018
Hopkinton120251969
Franconia120241966
Stratford120211967
Dixvil Notch120171981
East Kingston120251999

Downy Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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