Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
These are two neighbouring islands south-west of Grooyte Eylandt. Sandy Island is a series of three islands (joined by sand and exposed reef at low tide) about 20 km from the mainland. Most birds nest on the central island, which is vegetated with grass, vines and the occasional shrub. Low Rock is 25 km distant and about 30 km from the mainland. Low Rock is a sand, coral rubble and rock island surrounded by a rocky reef and with a stand of tall mangroves in the centre.
Chatto (2001) made nine visits to Sandy Island and recorded up to 10,000 Crested Terns and small numbers of Silver Gulls (max 100 birds). This island may also be important for roosting of various seabirds including Pied Cormorant, Brown Booby and Roseate Tern. A roost of 3000+ Roseate Terns was counted on one visit. In seven visits to Low Rock, 150 Pied Cormorants, 1000 Bridled, 800 Black-naped and 440 Lesser Crested Terns were recorded nesting.
Non-bird biodiversity: Flatback turtles nest on Low Rock and marine turtles nest on Sandy Island.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
No known threats. The numbers of nesting seabirds should be monitored.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Sandy Island and Low Rock are both included within the 'Limmen Bight and associated coastal floodplains' site of conservation significance as classified by the Northern Territory Government (Harrison et al. 2009; Ward & Harrison 2009).
Arnhemland ALT
Site access / Land-owner requests
Traditionally-owned land.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sandy Island and Low Rock (Gulf of Carpentaria) (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sandy-island-and-low-rock-(gulf-of-carpentaria)-iba-australia on 27/12/2024.
