BirdAnalyst
Species · Maryland · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Laughing Gull Population Trend in Maryland

All statesWetland birds

Laughing Gull in Maryland has fallen sharply: down 53% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-53%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 →
27Routes 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 →
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 Laughing Gull Trends in MarylandNotable 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 →

Laughing Gull has fallen sharply in Maryland: down 52% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Laughing Gull Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Laughing Gull in Maryland is projected to rise about 107% by 2030 — from 6.4 in 2025 to a central estimate of 13 (95% range 0.00–30). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±157.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+107%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 →
13Projected 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 →
0.00–3095% 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 →
±157.4%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 Maryland is projected to rise about 107% by 2030 — from 6.4 in 2025 to a central estimate of 13 (95% range 0.00–30). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±157.4%, 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 →
2026130.0030
2027130.0030
2028130.0030
2029130.0030
2030130.0030

Laughing Gull Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Laughing Gull in Maryland.
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 →
Snow Hill35319761966
Sinepuxent15019781966
Newark10020251966
Furnace Town8420252015
Indiantown5020141977
Cokesbury4620251966
Severna Park2419971997
St. George'S Island1620172015
Walnut1520241999
Jones819671967
Harmony819871987
Matthews720091990
Vienna620252002
Fruitland619981966
Island Creek519911991
Honga420251966
Mardela320191972
Broomes Isl219951967
Berlin120241982
Pt Republic119891989
Tall Timbers120021970
Melitota120131971
Piney Neck120021966
Easton120051978
Golden Hill120251978

Laughing Gull Population Trend in Other States

alabamacaliforniadelawarefloridageorgialouisianamainemassachusettsnew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinarhode-islandsouth-carolinatexasvirginia

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