BirdAnalyst
Species · Nebraska · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Spotted Sandpiper Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesShorebirds

Spotted Sandpiper in Nebraska has surged: up 98% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

+98%Since 1972TrendPercent 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 →
21Routes 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 →
34YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Spotted Sandpiper Trends in NebraskaNotable 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 →

Spotted Sandpiper has surged in Nebraska: up 98% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

Spotted Sandpiper Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, Spotted Sandpiper in Nebraska is projected to fall about 66% by 2029 — from 0.13 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.16). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±63.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-66%Change 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 →
0.04Projected 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 →
0.00–0.1695% 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 →
±63.9%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 →
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 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 →
20250.050.000.17
20260.050.000.16
20270.040.000.16
20280.040.000.16
20290.040.000.16

Spotted Sandpiper Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording Spotted Sandpiper in Nebraska.
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 →
Sumner320241975
Stratton220162016
Irvington219741972
Richland220242019
Belvidere120102007
Oglala Nat. Grass.120112011
Kenesaw120012001
Kearney120191970
Holbrook119691969
Surprise120242017
Dalton119741974
Thurston120232023
Eagle Creek120231986
Midway119761976
Johnstown120192011
Gordon120041982
Arthur120212021
Brownlee120081995
Tilden120192019
Maxwell120182018
Gretna 2120232023

Spotted Sandpiper Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawaregeorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourimontananevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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