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

Herring Gull Population Trend in Virginia

All statesWetland birds

Herring Gull in Virginia has declined: down 46% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-46%Since 1968
9Routes In State
49Years

Notable Herring Gull Trends in Virginia

No notable trend signals for Herring Gull in Virginia. See the full index history below.

Herring Gull Population Forecast in Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Herring Gull in Virginia is projected to rise about 12× by 2027 — from 0.09 in 2022 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.00–3.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±836.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

12×Change by 2027
1.1Projected 2027 index
0.00–3.695% range
±836.3%Backtest error
19662027
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
20231.00.003.6
20241.00.003.6
20251.00.003.6
20261.00.003.6
20271.10.003.6

Herring Gull Survey Routes in Virginia

Routes recording Herring Gull in Virginia.
Backbay5019711966
Colonial Pky2619981997
Cape Charles2420181992
Quinby1120061967
Chincoteag W420221992
Gloucester220171995
Truhart220051997
Pungo119931993
White Stone120131975

Herring Gull Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridaidahoillinoisindianakansaslouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamontananew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinatexasvermontwashingtonwest-virginiawisconsin

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