Species · Delaware · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024
Osprey Population Trend in Delaware
Osprey in Delaware has surged: up 800% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
+800%Since 1968
15Routes In State
53Years
Notable Osprey Trends in Delaware
long arc increasecomputed index
Osprey has surged in Delaware: up 800% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
Osprey Population Forecast in Delaware
If the recent trend holds, Osprey in Delaware is projected to fall about 35% by 2029 — from 5.2 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.4 (95% range 0.84–5.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59.3%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
-35%Change by 2029
3.4Projected 2029 index
0.84–5.995% range
±59.3%Backtest error
| Year | Projected index | 95% low | 95% high |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3.1 | 0.59 | 5.6 |
| 2026 | 3.2 | 0.66 | 5.7 |
| 2027 | 3.2 | 0.72 | 5.8 |
| 2028 | 3.3 | 0.78 | 5.8 |
| 2029 | 3.4 | 0.84 | 5.9 |
Osprey Survey Routes in Delaware
| Bethany Bch | 16 | 1990 | 1966 |
| Harrington | 12 | 2024 | 1966 |
| Pepperbox 2 | 8 | 2024 | 2017 |
| Blackbird | 6 | 2024 | 1999 |
| Pepperbox | 4 | 2016 | 1998 |
| Milton 2 | 4 | 2017 | 2017 |
| Wilmington | 2 | 2013 | 1991 |
| Lowes Xrds | 2 | 1991 | 1966 |
| Milton | 2 | 2016 | 1972 |
| Mt Pleasant | 1 | 2010 | 2010 |
| Frederica | 1 | 1999 | 1999 |
| Frankford | 1 | 1973 | 1973 |
| Holleyville | 1 | 2003 | 1979 |
| Millsboro | 1 | 2023 | 2021 |
| Georgetown | 1 | 2022 | 1994 |
Osprey Population Trend in Other States
alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutfloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.