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Species · Montana · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Upland Sandpiper Population Trend in Montana

All statesGrassland birds

Upland Sandpiper in Montana has surged: up 13× on the route-weighted index since 1970.

13×Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
64Routes 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 →
56YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Upland Sandpiper Trends in MontanaNotable 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 →

Upland Sandpiper has surged in Montana: up 13× on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Upland Sandpiper Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Upland Sandpiper in Montana is projected to fall about 32% by 2030 — from 3.5 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.4 (95% range 1.2–3.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±28.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-32%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
2.4Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
1.2–3.595% 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 →
±28.3%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, Upland Sandpiper in Montana is projected to fall about 32% by 2030 — from 3.5 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.4 (95% range 1.2–3.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±28.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682030
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 →
20262.21.13.4
20272.31.13.4
20282.31.13.5
20292.31.23.5
20302.41.23.5

Upland Sandpiper Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Upland Sandpiper in Montana.
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 →
Albion4120251982
Locate2820251981
Redstone2220251971
Hehn Draw2220252016
Cabin Creek2120252018
Savage1920251970
Westby1520252015
Chuffey Spring1320252016
Harlem1020211972
Webster1020251986
Winnett1020252017
Miles City1020252015
Wolf Creek820252015
Lambert820252021
Flatwillow 2620232010
Forsyth620231988
Muddy Creek620152015
Leroy520251972
Powderville520251981
Wolf Point520242015
Cleveland420241981
Great Falls420251972
Two Dot420251976
Ingomar420251981
Reed Point420251977

Upland Sandpiper Population Trend in Other States

alaskacoloradoillinoisindianaiowakansasmainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.