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Species · Maine · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Maine

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Maine has collapsed: down 99% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-99%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 →
45Routes 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 →
52YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Eastern Meadowlark Trends in MaineNotable 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 →

Eastern Meadowlark has collapsed in Maine: down 99% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in Maine

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in Maine is projected to fall about 100% by 2028 — from 0.06 in 2023 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–1.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±1503.9%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change 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 →
0.00–1.195% 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 →
±1503.9%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, Eastern Meadowlark in Maine is projected to fall about 100% by 2028 — from 0.06 in 2023 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–1.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±1503.9%, 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 →
20240.000.001.1
20250.000.001.1
20260.000.001.1
20270.000.001.1
20280.000.001.1

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in Maine

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in Maine.
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 →
Freedom619771973
Benton419801971
Eastbrook419871972
Castine419861976
Jefferson420101991
Hancock319971969
Bowdoin Ctr220131971
Warren219901973
Cambridge220051967
Wytopitlock219781978
Rome220101996
Cape Neddick120231972
Westbrook120081977
Biddeford120181973
Kittery Pt119921966
Newcastle119931971
Northfield 2119921992
Bethel120061978
Turner120021972
Greenwood119881966
Reeds119981992
South Arm119981978
Otisfield Gr120051966
Hartford119911975
Manchester119941971

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsin

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