Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA consists of the entire terrestrial land area (~8.3 ha) of Lawrence Rocks Wildlife Reserve. Lawrence Rocks Wildlife Reserve consists of two small islets about 6.8 ha and 1.5 ha in area that lie about 2 km offshore from Point Danger and about 6 km south-east of Portland in western Victoria. The islets are composed of basaltic and tuff rock. The habitat on the islets consists of exposed rock and some patches of exotic grasses and native and exotic herbs. The Australasian Gannet breeds on both islets in the IBA.
Likely breeding birds recorded on 14 February 2005 included the Little Penguin (several adults and young), Cape Gannet (four), Black-faced Cormorant (60+), Crested Tern (150+), Silver Gull (100+) and Sooty Oystercatcher (two) (R. Farnes on http://bioacoustics.cse.unsw.edu.au/birding-aus/2005-02/msg00273.html).
Non-bird biodiversity: Lawrence Rocks supports a small population of the Australian Fur Seal (Pescott 1980).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Continue to restrict human access to the islets. Publicise the conservation importance of the islets to local boat-owners.
Victorian State Government with management the responsibility of Parks Victoria.
Site access / Land-owner requests
Landing is prohibited.
The nomination was prepared by Scott Chambers with thanks to F. Norman; local Parks Vic managers and Rob Farnes (rfarnes@hotkey.net.au) for information.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lawrence Rocks (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lawrence-rocks-iba-australia on 19/12/2024.
