St Helens Island
St Helens Island is a granite island, with an area of 51 ha, in south-eastern Australia. It is part of the Waterhouse Island Group, lying close to the north-eastern coast of Tasmania. The island is a conservation area, though it has been burnt in the past and is still subject to severe rabbit grazing.[1] The island forms part of the St Helens Important Bird Area, identified as such by BirdLife International because of its importance as a breeding site for seabirds and waders.[2]
[edit] Fauna
Recorded breeding seabird species are Little Penguin, Short-tailed Shearwater, Common Diving-Petrel, White-faced Storm-Petrel, Pacific Gull and Silver Gull. European Rabbits have been introduced. The Metallic Skink is present.[1]
Other islands in the Waterhouse Group with breeding seabirds include:[1]
- Ninth Island
- Tenth Island
- Waterhouse Island
- Little Waterhouse Island
- Maclean Island
- Baynes Island
- Cygnet Island
- Foster Islands
- Swan Island
- Little Swan Island
- Bird Rock
- George Rocks
- Paddys Island
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Brothers, Nigel; Pemberton, David; Pryor, Helen; & Halley, Vanessa. (2001). Tasmania’s Offshore Islands: seabirds and other natural features. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery: Hobart. ISBN 0-7246-4816-X
- ^ "IBA: St Helens (Tasmania)". Birdata. Birds Australia. http://www.birdata.com.au/iba.vm. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
Coordinates: 41°20′S 148°20′E / 41.333°S 148.333°E
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