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Species · Montana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Upland Sandpiper Population Trend in Montana

All statesGrassland birds

Upland Sandpiper in Montana has surged: up 937% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+937%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 →
63Routes 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 →
55YearsYears 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 937% 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 17% by 2029 — from 2.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.2 (95% range 1.1–3.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±20.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-17%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 →
2.2Projected 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 →
1.1–3.495% 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 →
±20.1%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 17% by 2029 — from 2.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.2 (95% range 1.1–3.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±20.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
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 →
20252.11.003.3
20262.21.03.3
20272.21.03.3
20282.21.13.3
20292.21.13.4

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 →
Locate4220241981
Savage3520211970
Albion2120241982
Hehn Draw2020242016
Cabin Creek1920242018
Redstone1620241971
Two Dot1220241976
Harlem1020211972
Westby1020242015
Lambert1020242021
Chuffey Spring1020232016
Shawmut720241982
Flatwillow 2620232010
Roy620241988
Forsyth620231988
Webster620241986
Custer 2620242024
Muddy Creek620152015
Ingomar520231981
Reed Point520241977
Wolf Point520242015
Winnett520232017
Cleveland420241981
Great Falls420241972
Saco420242015

Upland Sandpiper Population Trend in Other States

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

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