BirdAnalyst
Species · Rhode Island · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Herring Gull Population Trend in Rhode Island

All statesWetland birds

Herring Gull in Rhode Island has collapsed: down 98% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-98%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
5Routes 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 →
42YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Herring Gull Trends in Rhode IslandNotable 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 →

Herring Gull has collapsed in Rhode Island: down 98% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Herring Gull Population Forecast in Rhode Island

If the recent trend holds, Herring Gull in Rhode Island is projected to rise about 39% by 2030 — from 10 in 2025 to a central estimate of 14 (95% range 0.00–202). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±4822.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+39%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 →
14Projected 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 →
0.00–20295% 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 →
±4822.8%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, Herring Gull in Rhode Island is projected to rise about 39% by 2030 — from 10 in 2025 to a central estimate of 14 (95% range 0.00–202). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±4822.8%, 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 →
2026190.00207
2027180.00205
2028170.00204
2029150.00203
2030140.00202

Herring Gull Survey Routes in Rhode Island

Routes recording Herring Gull in Rhode Island.
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 →
Block Island4120251990
Sachuest Pt2019901966
Quonset Pt520221969
Shannock220181974
Wallum Lake119921973

Herring Gull Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridaidahoillinoisindianakansaslouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamontananew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooregonpennsylvaniasouth-carolinatexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsin

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