BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 30 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Laughing Gull In New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast

All regionsNew England / Mid-Atlantic CoastWetland birds

Laughing Gull in New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast has declined: down 40% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-40%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 →
88Routes 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 →

No notable trend signals for Laughing Gull in New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast. See the full index history below.

Laughing Gull In New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Laughing Gull in New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast is projected to rise about 306% by 2030 — from 8.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 33 (95% range 1.7–65). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±203.4%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+306%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 →
33Projected 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 →
1.7–6595% 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 →
±203.4%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 New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast is projected to rise about 306% by 2030 — from 8.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 33 (95% range 1.7–65). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±203.4%, with 80% 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 →
2026320.9164
2027331.164
2028331.364
2029331.564
2030331.765

Routes In New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast

Routes recording Laughing Gull in New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast.
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 →
Del HavenNEW-JERSEY15291991
VillasNEW-JERSEY8761981
Cape May ChNEW-JERSEY5482013
Snow HillMARYLAND3531976
Chincoteag WVIRGINIA3442024
Bethany BchDELAWARE3091990
Ocean CityNEW-JERSEY1602025
SinepuxentMARYLAND1501978
GeorgetownDELAWARE1252022
Cape CharlesVIRGINIA1152018
NewarkMARYLAND1002025
Furnace TownMARYLAND842025
AlbionNEW-JERSEY602021
Colonial PkyVIRGINIA601998
Block IslandRHODE-ISLAND512025
IndiantownMARYLAND502014
HarringtonDELAWARE462025
CokesburyMARYLAND462025
Milton 2DELAWARE442025
Spraguetown 2NEW-JERSEY382007
PepperboxDELAWARE322016
ClarksvilleNEW-JERSEY291991
MiltonDELAWARE282016
Toms RiverNEW-JERSEY252024
Severna ParkMARYLAND241997

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