BirdAnalyst
Species · Maryland · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Forster's Tern Population Trend in Maryland

All statesWetland birds

Forster's Tern in Maryland has fallen sharply: down 62% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-62%Since 1968
10Routes In State
40Years

Notable Forster's Tern Trends in Maryland

long arc declinecomputed index

Forster's Tern has fallen sharply in Maryland: down 62% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Forster's Tern Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Forster's Tern in Maryland is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.13 (95% range 0.00–0.38). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±309.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2028
0.13Projected 2028 index
0.00–0.3895% range
±309.6%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20240.140.000.38
20250.140.000.38
20260.130.000.38
20270.130.000.38
20280.130.000.38

Forster's Tern Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Forster's Tern in Maryland.
Golden Hill520061989
Easton220132013
Madison220211984
Fruitland219851966
Cokesbury220151989
Newark220181966
Pomfret219741974
Harmony120132013
Honga120231988
Walnut119991999

Forster's Tern Population Trend in Other States

alabamacaliforniacoloradodelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaslouisianamichiganminnesotamontananebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaoregonsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatexasutahvirginiawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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