Trends in woodland bird populations on the Cumberland Plain, New South Wales, from long-term datasets

Of the 59 woodland bird species investigated in this study, 20 were found to have declined over the last six decades while another 12 species were found to have increased over the same time period. Fifteen species are listed as threatened under the New South Wales Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and this study identified those same 15 species as being uncommon to rare on the Cumberland Plain. In addition, many other Cumberland Plain woodland bird species are uncommon and are also in decline. Apart from the threatened species it is likely that 12 other species may also be lost from the Cumberland Plain. If the current trends continue, it is likely that we will lose nearly half of the 59 species over the next few decades unless efforts are made to protect and enhance woodland habitat of the Cumberland Plain.