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

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in West Virginia 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 →
59Routes 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 →
58YearsYears 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 West 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 →

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

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in West Virginia is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 2.2 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–5.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±112.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2029TrendPercent 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 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–5.695% 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 →
±112.3%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 West Virginia is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 2.2 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–5.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±112.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20250.000.005.6
20260.000.005.6
20270.000.005.6
20280.000.005.6
20290.000.005.6

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in West 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 →
Mt Storm1919751966
Denmar1520241980
Pt Pleasant1220231973
Nicut1120211986
Spencer1020231986
Bemis1020242001
Sugar Grove720241966
Albright719741966
Martinsburg720241966
Shanghai720211995
Pedro620241979
Arlee619791966
Green Bank620241977
Rio619951974
Sleepy Creek519901966
Ruthbelle520241975
Hix320241970
Smoot320241980
Hubbardstown320211970
Meadland320231997
Slate320241980
Rockport320241966
Moundsville320241972
Berryburg319961975
Bebee320241972

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawisconsin

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