Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
The Brook Islands are a group of small granitic islands in the inshore Great Barrier Reef, 8 km off Hitchinbrook Island north of Townsville. The four named islands in the group are North (49 ha), Tween (2 ha), Middle (5 ha) and South Brook (14 ha) Islands. The islands are covered with rainforest above highwater mark, most probably derived from the droppings of birds feeding in rainforest on the mainland but breeding on the island. The coral sand beaches also sometimes support substantial numbers of breeding seabirds. The IBA could be extended to include other neighbouring islands that sometimes support large colonies of Lesser Crested Terns such as Taylor Cay (2000 Lesser Crested Tern in 1973 and 3000 in 1988).
Brook Islands also supports populations of Roseate Tern and Black-naped Tern breeding on shingle beaches on the island as well as at least one pair of Beach Stone-curlew. Bridled Tern breed among the rocks, Orange-footed Scrubfowl are resident and Noisy Pitta are frequent visitors.
Non-bird biodiversity: The island is also notable for the rainforest, almost all of which is thought to be derived from seed brought back by pigeons from the mainland.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Monitor numbers and breeding success of seabird colonies. Raise awareness of likely impacts of sea-level rise and sea warming.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Pigeon numbers are counted six times a year, currently by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and volunteers. Counts were initiated by volunteers in the 1960s. The pigeon populations are currently the subject of a study aiming to understand fluctuations in relation to the area of available habitat on the mainland and seasonal variation.
The IBA overlaps with one protected area.
Australian Government with management the responsibility of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Site access / Land-owner requests
Permission to visit should be sought from the GBRMPA.
Stephen Garnett wrote the IBA nomination. Paul O'Neill provided advice and access to the GBR seabird database.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Brook Islands (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/brook-islands-iba-australia on 27/12/2024.
