BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 27 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Laughing Gull In Southeastern Coastal Plain

All regionsSoutheastern Coastal PlainWetland birds

Laughing Gull in Southeastern Coastal Plain has surged: up 252% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+252%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 →
70Routes In RegionSurvey 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 SignalsNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 →

Laughing Gull has surged in Southeastern Coastal Plain: up 252% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Laughing Gull In Southeastern Coastal Plain Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Laughing Gull in Southeastern Coastal Plain is projected to rise about 578% by 2030 — from 1.3 in 2025 to a central estimate of 8.7 (95% range 1.6–16). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±374.7%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+578%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 →
8.7Projected 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 →
1.6–1695% 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 →
±374.7%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, Laughing Gull in Southeastern Coastal Plain is projected to rise about 578% by 2030 — from 1.3 in 2025 to a central estimate of 8.7 (95% range 1.6–16). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±374.7%, 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 →
20268.41.216
20278.41.316
20288.51.416
20298.61.516
20308.71.616

Routes In Southeastern Coastal Plain

Routes recording Laughing Gull in Southeastern Coastal Plain.
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 →
ErnulNORTH-CAROLINA5002008
Bon SecourALABAMA4242023
Alabama PtALABAMA2292003
MashoesNORTH-CAROLINA1291982
Myrtle GroveNORTH-CAROLINA1092025
Dauphin Is 3ALABAMA772021
Santa RosaFLORIDA732003
Dauphin IsALABAMA611990
MerrimonNORTH-CAROLINA492023
Alabama Pt 2ALABAMA462019
Kiawah IslandSOUTH-CAROLINA442025
CornlandVIRGINIA442014
ShallotteNORTH-CAROLINA421991
Chacaloochee BayALABAMA362019
ArapahoeNORTH-CAROLINA351992
Dauphin Is 2ALABAMA252019
Milltail CrNORTH-CAROLINA232025
CaytonNORTH-CAROLINA192024
GrandyNORTH-CAROLINA181975
Johns IsleSOUTH-CAROLINA181979
NewportNORTH-CAROLINA162023
MattamuskeetNORTH-CAROLINA162021
Alligator PtFLORIDA152025
Ft Waltn BchFLORIDA142011
Old TrapNORTH-CAROLINA122022

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