Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
Michaelmas Cay is about 40 km east of Cairns in the northern Great Barrier Reef. It is a vegetated sand cay, and covered about 360 m x 50 m in 1984, but is subject to erosion and accretion. The cay is comprised of coral sand with low mats of grasses and herbs, which vary in extent between seasons. It is zoned as a Marine National Park, allowing boat limited visits and diving.
Small numbers of breeding Roseate Tern, Black-naped Tern, Sooty Tern (regular counts of 5,000-10,000 pairs), Crested Tern, Common Noddy (max 6000+ pairs in 1982).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Maintain monitoring of seabird numbers and breeding success to assess impact of visitors. Raise awareness of likely impacts of sea-level rise and sea warming.
The IBA overlaps with Michaelmas and Upolu Cays National Park.
Australian Federal Government with management the responsibility of GBRMPA.
Paul O'Neill provided advice and access to the GBR seabird database and the nomination was prepared in consultation with Mike Short.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Michaelmas Cay (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/michaelmas-cay-iba-australia on 23/11/2024.
