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Species · Maryland · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Maryland

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Maryland has collapsed: down 85% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-85%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 →
74Routes 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 Eastern Meadowlark Trends in MarylandNotable 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 Maryland: down 85% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in Maryland is projected to fall about 100% by 2030 — from 2.4 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–4.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±180.7%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%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 →
0.00Projected 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 →
0.00–4.795% 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 →
±180.7%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 Maryland is projected to fall about 100% by 2030 — from 2.4 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–4.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±180.7%, with 20% 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 →
20260.000.004.7
20270.000.004.7
20280.000.004.7
20290.000.004.7
20300.000.004.7

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in Maryland.
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 →
Mt Nebo1619911969
Honga1620251966
Walnut1520241999
Williamsport1220251966
Grove Neck1119961992
Smithsburg820141966
Emmitsburg820251966
Snow Hill819761966
Sinepuxent719781966
Pr Frederick720051991
Floyd620251966
Olney620251966
Broomes Isl519961966
Tall Timbers520141966
Jennings520251995
Fruitland419981977
Finzel420251995
Piney Grove420251995
St. George'S Island420172015
Ijamsville420251986
Warfieldsbrg320241966
Pt Republic319891966
Elkton320241966
Easton320251966
Golden Hill320251966

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

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

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