Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2009 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor | CR | non-breeding (1996–2007) | 120 birds | A1 |
| Regent Honeyeater Anthochaera phrygia | CR | resident (1996–2007) | 72 birds | A1 |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2009. The most recent assessment (2019) is shown below.
| IBA conservation assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2019 | moderate | very high | low |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | habitat | - | |
| State (condition of the trigger species' habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Quantity (% remaining) | Quality (% carrying capacity) | Result |
| Forest | good (>90%) | moderate (70–90%) | moderate |
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Natural system modifications | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | rapid decline (>30% over 3 generations) | very high |
| Invasive and other problematic species and genes | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
| Human intrusions and disturbance | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | high |
| Energy production and mining | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Transportation and service corridors | likely in short term (<4 years) | some of population/area (10–49%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Residential and commercial development | likely in short term (<4 years) | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Pollution | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | no or slight decline (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | likely in long term (>4 years) | some of population/area (10–49%) | no or slight decline (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Some of area covered (10–49%) | A comprehensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species | Some limited conservation initiatives are in place | low |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Pokolbin | Flora Reserve (Ia) | <1 |
| 2005 | Werakata | National Park (II) | 4 |
| 2007 | The Hunter Lakes | Flora Reserve (Ia) | <1 |
| 2011 | Werakata | State Conservation Area (II) | 4 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial/Terrestrial | major (>10) | Improved grassland & pasture |
| Forest | major (>10) | Eucalypt woodlands |
| Savanna | major (>10) | Eucalypt open woodlands |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| forestry | major (>10) |
| rangeland/pastureland | major (>10) |
| military | major (>10) |
| nature conservation and research | major (>10) |
| urban/industrial/transport | major (>10) |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lower Hunter Valley (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lower-hunter-valley-iba-australia on 27/12/2024.