BirdAnalyst
Species · Washington · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Western Meadowlark Population Trend in Washington

All statesGrassland birds

Western Meadowlark in Washington has increased: up 42% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+42%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 →
78Routes 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 →
57YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Western Meadowlark Trends in WashingtonNotable 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 Western Meadowlark in Washington. See the full index history below.

Western Meadowlark Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Western Meadowlark in Washington is projected to rise about 57% by 2030 — from 14 in 2025 to a central estimate of 23 (95% range 5.0–40). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±78.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+57%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 →
23Projected 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 →
5.0–4095% 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 →
±78.8%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, Western Meadowlark in Washington is projected to rise about 57% by 2030 — from 14 in 2025 to a central estimate of 23 (95% range 5.0–40). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±78.8%, with 100% 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 →
2026235.340
2027235.240
2028235.140
2029235.140
2030235.040

Western Meadowlark Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Western Meadowlark in Washington.
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 →
Arid Land Er29219961988
Hanford Site23219961988
Othello22219911981
Richland11320242006
Hatton11119941992
Mesa10920081994
Bickleton10220191980
Keystone9920251994
Ewan9020191983
Mercer8720221968
Harwood7819971993
Odessa7820251993
Moses Coulee7620251993
Horn Rapids7020242005
Connell6720151968
Ellensburg5920251981
Sulphur5520221995
Selah5220252000
Wilbur4720251983
Nighthawk4720251992
Ewan 24720252023
Asotin4620251971
Pomeroy4620241992
Prescott4420221981
Columbia Nwr4120221992

Western Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

arizonacaliforniacoloradoidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotatexasutahwisconsinwyoming

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