Species · Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024
Osprey Population Trend in Virginia
Osprey in Virginia has surged: up 127% on the route-weighted index since 1970.
+127%Since 1970
25Routes In State
52Years
Notable Osprey Trends in Virginia
long arc increasecomputed index
Osprey has surged in Virginia: up 127% on the route-weighted index since 1970.
Osprey Population Forecast in Virginia
If the recent trend holds, Osprey in Virginia is projected to rise about 82% by 2029 — from 0.31 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.56 (95% range 0.28–0.85). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59.9%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
+82%Change by 2029
0.56Projected 2029 index
0.28–0.8595% range
±59.9%Backtest error
| Year | Projected index | 95% low | 95% high |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0.53 | 0.24 | 0.81 |
| 2026 | 0.54 | 0.25 | 0.82 |
| 2027 | 0.54 | 0.26 | 0.83 |
| 2028 | 0.55 | 0.27 | 0.84 |
| 2029 | 0.56 | 0.28 | 0.85 |
Osprey Survey Routes in Virginia
| Colonial Pky | 24 | 1998 | 1992 |
| Port Royal | 9 | 2019 | 1986 |
| Cape Charles | 6 | 2018 | 1992 |
| Surry | 5 | 2024 | 1994 |
| Gloucester | 3 | 2024 | 1994 |
| Chincoteag W | 3 | 2024 | 1992 |
| Brodnax | 3 | 2024 | 2003 |
| Churchville | 1 | 1998 | 1998 |
| Tryme | 1 | 2018 | 2018 |
| Jerome | 1 | 2019 | 2015 |
| Walkers | 1 | 2016 | 1997 |
| Pw Forest Pk | 1 | 1998 | 1998 |
| Brandon | 1 | 2022 | 1992 |
| Covesville | 1 | 2023 | 2023 |
| Carters Brdg | 1 | 1997 | 1997 |
| Mannboro | 1 | 2023 | 2023 |
| Hall | 1 | 2023 | 2023 |
| White Stone | 1 | 2024 | 1968 |
| Sharps | 1 | 2013 | 1974 |
| Ringgold | 1 | 2009 | 2009 |
| Branchville | 1 | 2016 | 1990 |
| Backbay | 1 | 1968 | 1968 |
| Cornland | 1 | 2010 | 1990 |
| Pungo | 1 | 2024 | 1975 |
| Finchley | 1 | 2015 | 2014 |
Osprey Population Trend in Other States
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Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.