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

Willet Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesShorebirds

Willet in Nebraska has surged: up 225% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

+225%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 →
9Routes 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 →
50YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Willet 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 →

No notable trend signals for Willet in Nebraska. See the full index history below.

Willet Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, Willet in Nebraska is projected to fall about 10% by 2030 — from 0.32 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.28 (95% range 0.00–0.63). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±512.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-10%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 →
0.28Projected 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 →
0.00–0.6395% 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 →
±512.1%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, Willet in Nebraska is projected to fall about 10% by 2030 — from 0.32 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.28 (95% range 0.00–0.63). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±512.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692030
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 →
20260.280.000.62
20270.280.000.63
20280.280.000.63
20290.280.000.63
20300.280.000.63

Willet Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording Willet 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 →
Crescent Lk1320251980
Kennedy620251993
Piester Lake220181969
Gordon120241980
Murray Lake120152015
Brownlee120191990
Nenzel120192019
Swan Lake120231993
Johnstown119781978

Willet Population Trend in Other States

alabamacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridaidaholouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsminnesotamontananevadanew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaoregonsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatexasutahvirginiawyoming

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