Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
Sunday Island is a small island close to the Muiron Islands off the northern end of Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia. It is a low limestone and sand island with low grass (Spinifex longifolius) and Carpobrotus sp. and low shrubs. Other plants recorded include Triodia epactia, Amaranthus mitchellii, Portulaca intraterranea, Capparis spinosa, Cleome viscosa, Acacia sclerosperma, Ipomoea pes-caprae. Annual average rainfall is about 300 mm. Sunday Island is within the Muiron Islands Marine Management Area recognising its high conservation value, but where industry operations such as petroleum exploration and production are major uses.
Silver Gulls nest.
Non-bird biodiversity: Turtles.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Island should be protected by reservation as a nature reserve to promote better management by the Department of Environment and Conservation. Ensure that impacts on the Roseate Terns are considered in oil drilling proposals.
Western Australian State Government with management the responsibility of the 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 with observations submitted to database by Dr Fran Stanley of DEC.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sunday Island (Exmouth Gulf) (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sunday-island-(exmouth-gulf)-iba-australia on 27/12/2024.
