BirdAnalyst
Species · North Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Merlin Population Trend in North Dakota

All statesGeneralists

Merlin in North Dakota has surged: up 169% on the route-weighted index since 2003.

+169%Since 2003TrendPercent 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 →
11Routes 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 →
13YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Merlin Trends in North DakotaNotable 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 →

Merlin has surged in North Dakota: up 169% on the route-weighted index since 2003.

Merlin Survey Routes in North Dakota

Routes recording Merlin in North Dakota.
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 →
Emerado220242017
Carson120062006
Golva120032000
Douglas Crk120172017
Wimbledon120102010
Turtle Mtns120211993
Bowesmont120122012
Nash120112011
Rolla120222005
Dunn Center120242024
Denbigh120242024

Merlin Population Trend in Other States

alaskaidahomainemassachusettsmichiganminnesotamontananebraskanew-hampshirenew-yorkoregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotavermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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