Upland Sandpiper populations have greatly diminished in the Northeast. The Second Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas showed an 85% decline in the number of occupied blocks. They likely have been the victims of loss and fragmentation of grassland habitat as well as earlier and more frequent haying. They are now listed as Endangered in Vermont.
Prior to 1989, no systematic survey had been conducted on the abundance of Upland Sandpiper in Vermont, although distribution of the species was documented during the first Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas Project. Concerns over the apparent decline of Upland Sandpipers in Vermont prompted dedicated surveys for this species in 1989-1992. Increases in adult numbers and the number of nesting sites during this period were documented; however, these increases were attributed to refinement of survey techniques as opposed to actual population increases. Highest counts during this period were 126 individuals located at 47 sites with a suspected stable population of 80-100 pairs. Another set of surveys was conducted in 1998 and 1999. The 1998 survey showed a 60% decline in numbers (50 individuals at 22 sites). The 1999 survey showed a decline of 78% with only 28 individuals at 15 sites. Subsequent, but more limited, surveys in 2000-2002 showed findings similar to 1999.
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