Which wood-warbler populations have fallen precipitously in recent years?

If your answer included "Cerulean Warbler," then you're correct.

Based on information at Cornell of Ornithology's web site (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/cewap/index.html), this Neotropical migratory bird species continues to experience population declines in parts of its range. However, given the Ceruleans low population density and patchy distributions, accurate population trends are difficult to estimate. One ongoing, annual monitoring program -- the Breeding Bird Survey, coordinated by the US Geological Survey -- has compiled data that suggest a 3.8 percent annual decline in populations of Ceruleans since 1966. To adequately protect this species more information is needed about its habitat requirements, breeding biology, and population status, the Cornell web site suggests.

To determine the number of breeding pairs and productivity, describe nesting habitat, and identify potential threats to the population and its habitat, the Cerulean Warbler Atlas Project (CEWAP) employed enthusiastic birders and biologists to survey known and potential Cerulean Warbler breeding sites from 1997 to 2000.

Results from CEWAP will be used to produce management guidelines for Cerulean Warblers. As of December 2000 you can download the final report, "An Atlas of Cerulean Warbler Populations," by conducting a Google search with the aforementioned title in quote marks.