Sandy Island (Windy Harbour) (23924)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Sandy Island (Windy Harbour)
Central coordinates: Latitude: -34.8665, Longitude: 116.0395
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 9
Area of KBA (km2): 0.20327
Protected area coverage (%): 99.99
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: 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.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Other breeding species recorded: Little Shearwater, Sooty Oystercatcher, Silver Gull and Fairy Tern.
Other site values: Western Australian State Government with management the responsibility of Dept of Environment & Climate Change. Permission to visit should be obtained from DEC.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 | |
| Grassland | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Requires monitoring and accurate estimate of number of nesting burrows. Regular checking for introduced species needed.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Abbott, I. (1980) Western Australian Herbarium Research Notes, No. 3: 19-36. Abbott, I. 1981. Sandy island, Western Australia. Corella 5, 69-70. Lane, S.G. (1984) Further notes on visits to islands of the south coast of Western Australia. Corella 8, 64-66.
Contributors: The nomination was prepared by Andrew Burbidge in consultation with DEC.