Species · BCR 11 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Merlin In Prairie Potholes

Merlin in Prairie Potholes has held roughly steady: down 7% on the route-weighted index since 1991.

-7%Since 1991
19Routes In Region
22Years

Notable Signals

No notable trend signals for Merlin in Prairie Potholes. See the full index history below.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Merlin in Prairie Potholes is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.09). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±217.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029
0.04Projected 2029 index
0.000.0995% range
±217.4%Backtest error
19692029
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
20250.040.000.09
20260.040.000.09
20270.040.000.09
20280.040.000.09
20290.040.000.09

Routes In Prairie Potholes

Routes recording Merlin in Prairie Potholes.
ClevelandMONTANA31991
Lake BronsonMINNESOTA22000
GlasgowMONTANA21995
EmeradoNORTH-DAKOTA22024
WylieMINNESOTA12023
ErieMINNESOTA12012
GryglaMINNESOTA12017
BadgerMINNESOTA12017
LockhartMINNESOTA11994
Hay LakeMONTANA12014
HarlemMONTANA12004
RedstoneMONTANA12016
WimbledonNORTH-DAKOTA12010
BowesmontNORTH-DAKOTA12012
NashNORTH-DAKOTA12011
RollaNORTH-DAKOTA12022
DenbighNORTH-DAKOTA12024
Douglas CrkNORTH-DAKOTA12017
Turtle MtnsNORTH-DAKOTA12021

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