BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 18 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Spotted Sandpiper In Shortgrass Prairie

All regionsShortgrass PrairieShorebirds

Spotted Sandpiper in Shortgrass Prairie has declined: down 29% on the route-weighted index since 1981.

-29%Since 1981TrendPercent 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 →
25Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
30YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Spotted Sandpiper in Shortgrass Prairie. See the full index history below.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Spotted Sandpiper in Shortgrass Prairie is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.02 (95% range 0.00–0.05). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±47.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029TrendPercent 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 →
0.02Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.0595% 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 →
±47.5%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, Spotted Sandpiper in Shortgrass Prairie is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.02 (95% range 0.00–0.05). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±47.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19732029
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 →
20250.020.000.05
20260.020.000.05
20270.020.000.05
20280.020.000.05
20290.020.000.05

Routes In Shortgrass Prairie

Routes recording Spotted Sandpiper in Shortgrass Prairie.
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 →
FlemingCOLORADO32006
YoderWYOMING32024
KirkCOLORADO22023
ElbertCOLORADO22005
DalhartTEXAS22006
CheyenneWYOMING22013
KiowaCOLORADO11999
LamarCOLORADO12001
GilpinCOLORADO11981
HudsonCOLORADO11988
Wildhorse LCOLORADO11999
Doyle BridgeCOLORADO11994
NeegrandeCOLORADO12000
NunnCOLORADO12017
Fort MorganCOLORADO12009
JulesburgCOLORADO12021
Sheridan LakCOLORADO12013
TimpasCOLORADO12006
PritchettCOLORADO12016
WallaceKANSAS12007
RuletonKANSAS11991
DaltonNEBRASKA11974
SabinosoNEW-MEXICO12008
Clear LakeOKLAHOMA12023
Pine BluffWYOMING11992

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