Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) are important places for nature. They are nature’s hotspots.
Australia has 334 KBAs which are home to a diverse range of species. KBAs are identified using strict scientific global standards (IUCN 2016) and must meet one of the criteria. Over two-thirds of threatened species inhabit these areas. They are facing the risk of extinction in the short to medium-term future.
Locally we have one KBA, the Bundarra-Barraba KBA. Refer to map below for its location. This area includes remnants of Grassy White Box Woodlands and Mugga Ironbark Woodlands which are preserved on Travelling Stock Routes (TSR) and private property. The northern part of the KBA is dominated by the Nandewar Range and the south-east by the Namoi River, part of which is in Warrabah National Park.
The Bundarra-Barraba KBA was designated a KBA because of the threatened woodland birds that it supports, principally the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater and the vulnerable Diamond Firetail. In addition to these trigger species it also supports a suite of other declining woodland birds such as the Hooded Robin, Brown Treecreeper, Speckled Warbler and Turquoise Parrot.
KBAs need custodians to help protect them from threatening processes.
By taking positive action we can be more confident of the long-term survival of these special places and the birds we care about.
Tamworth Birdwatchers Incorporated takes positive action by:
- monitoring the birds and habitat at sites in our local KBA.
- educating our community about threatened species and the value of our local KBA sites.
- Advocating for conservation of nature’s hotspots with government representatives.