Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
Sandy island is 4 km south-east of Point D'Entrecasteaux near Windy Harbour on the south-west coast of Western Australia. It is about 800 m by 300 m, flat (to 3 m) and mostly sandy; at NW end an area of limestone and unconsolidated dune occurs to 9 m. Southern coastline is rocky (migmatite). Most of the island is vegetated with Poa tussock grassland with Carpobrotus and Lobelia alata locally dominant. 46 plant species recorded.
Other breeding species recorded: Little Shearwater, Sooty Oystercatcher, Silver Gull and Fairy Tern.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Requires monitoring and accurate estimate of number of nesting burrows. Regular checking for introduced species needed.
The island is part of D'Entrecasteaux National Park and the Quagering Nature Reserve.
Western Australian State Government with management the responsibility of Dept of Environment & Climate Change.
Site access / Land-owner requests
Permission to visit should be obtained from DEC.
The nomination was prepared by Andrew Burbidge in consultation with DEC.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sandy Island (Windy Harbour) (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sandy-island-(windy-harbour)-iba-australia on 23/12/2024.
