Did you know that two coal companies - Whitehaven and Idemitsu - have plans to destroy some of the last remaining bushland habitat for threatened bird species in north west NSW so that they can expand their open cut coal mines?

The Leard State Forest consists of a critically endangered ecosystem, Grassy Box Woodland, in an area that has been largely cleared for agriculture. It provides vital habitat for many native animals, including threatened birds like the Masked Owl and Grey-crowned Babbler

This forest is home to at least 396 species of plants and animals including more than 87 bird species. Because the forest is so rare, it provides some of the last remaining habitat in the region for many threatened bird species. 

Like the beautiful Masked Owl, Australia’s second-largest nocturnal bird. With an estimated life span of 10 years, these majestic birds mate for life, and can nest in the same spot for their entire life if not disturbed. They play a critical role in the ecosystem by eating introduced pests like rats and mice. Loss of mature, hollow-bearing trees and changes to forest and woodland structure is one of the key threats to their ongoing survival.

Leard forest is also home to the sweet Grey-crowned Babbler, a social bird known for its curved beak and bird song. This little bird sings a beautiful duet with its partner to reinforce bonds and protect their territory - the female calls “ya,” and the male responds with “hoo.” Devastatingly, since colonisation, the Grey-crowned Babbler’s population has plummeted by 95% in NSW.

Thousands of hectares of rare woodland have already been cleared by these coal giants for open cut coal mines in Leard forest to the point that they have caused the extinction of a local koala population. 

Now, many threatened native bird species also face local extinction if approval is given by the State Government for their remaining habitat to be cleared for coal.

The killing of these birds cannot be considered an “acceptable cost” for the expansion of coal. Not to mention that there can be no new coal in a climate emergency!

We stand with the birds! If birds like the Masked Owl and Grey-crowned Babbler are to be saved then their remaining habitat in Leard State Forest must also be saved.