Waldegrave Islands

Last updated

Waldegrave Islands
14 Elliston scenic drive 13.JPG
Waldegrave Islands as viewed from the nearby coastline
Australia South Australia location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Waldegrave Islands
Geography
Location Great Australian Bight
Coordinates 33°35′46″S134°46′46″E / 33.596°S 134.77934°E / -33.596; 134.77934
Administration
Australia
Demographics
Population0

Waldegrave Islands is an island group in the Australian state of South Australia located in the Investigator Group about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles) northwest by west of Cape Finniss on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula. The group consists of Waldegrave Island, Little Waldegrave Island and according to some sources, a pair of rocks known as the Watchers. The group is notable as a breeding site for Australian sea lions and Cape Barren geese. The group has enjoyed protected area status since the 1960s and as of 1972 has been part of the Waldegrave Islands Conservation Park.

Contents

Description

Waldegrave Islands is an island group located about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles) northwest by west of Cape Finniss and about 8.5 kilometres (5.3 miles) northwest by west of the town of Elliston on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. [1]

The group consist of the following islands: Waldegrave Island (also called East Waldegrave Island and East Island in some sources), Little Waldegrave Island (also called West Waldegrave Island, West Island and Seal Island in some sources) and according to some sources, a pair of rocks known as the Watchers. [1] [2] [3]

Both islands can be accessed via the rocky coast on their northern sides which is sheltered from southerly swells. [2]

Waldegrave Island

Waldegrave Island is a flat topped island with steep sides having a length of about 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) (in the east-west direction), a maximum height in the range of 37–39 metres (121–128 feet) and an area of 292 hectares (720 acres). Its east coast which is about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 miles) long is terminated at the north east with a point named McLachlan Point and the south by a point named Point Watson. It overlaps the seaward boundary of Anxious Bay as proclaimed by the Australian government in 1987 and again in 2006 under the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973. [1] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Little Waldegrave Island

Little Waldegrave Island is located about 1 kilometre (0.62 miles) west of Waldegrave Island. It is a flat topped island with steep sides having a length of about 1 kilometre (0.62 miles) (in the east-west direction), a maximum height in the range of 25 metres (82 feet) and an area of 32 hectares (79 acres). [1] [2] [5] [6] [8]

The Watchers

The Watchers are a pair of rocks that are spaced about 1.9 kilometres (1 nmi) apart and which are located about 3.1 kilometres (1.7 nmi) west of Little Waldegrave Island. The western rock has a charted height of 7 metres (23 feet) and is reported in another source as being 7.3 metres (24 feet). The eastern rock is charted chart as an intertidal reef. [1] [5] [8] [9] [10]

Formation, geology and oceanography

The Waldegrave Islands were formed about 6000 years ago following the rise of sea levels at the start of the Holocene. [11] The Waldegrave Islands consists of a ‘crystalline basement (covered by calcareous aeolianite of varying thickness)’ which outcrops to a height of 5 metres (16 feet) on Little Waldegrave Island and which exists as a submerged reef connecting both islands. The Waldegrave Islands are considered to be ‘remnants of a once more prominent Cape Finnis(s)’ with the ‘remains of the bridging isthmus lie as a submerged reef connecting Cape Finnis(s)’ to Waldegrave Island at its north-eastern tip. [2] [4] [12]

The Watchers are reported geologically as being ‘two isolated outcrops of crystalline rocks’. [12]

Waters around Waldegrave and Little Waldegrave Islands drop to depths of 15–20 metres (49–66 feet) within about 300–1,000 metres (980–3,280 feet) of its north, west and south coasts. Its east coast drops into water of depths between 5–10 metres (16–33 feet) due to the presence of the submerged reef structure between it and Cape Finniss. [5]

The Watchers are associated with a submerged reef system independent of that underlying the Waldegrave and Little Waldegrave Islands. Waters adjoining the Watchers drop to depths of 15 metres (49 feet) within about 300 metres (980 feet) immediately south and west of the western rock and about 600 metres (2,000 feet) to its north east. [5]

Flora and fauna

Flora

A survey carried out during 1979 on Waldegrave Island found 26 species of plant that occurred in the following ‘five distinctive groupings’: introduced pasture, ‘heavy infestations of African Boxthorn and native shrublands of native juniper and coast daisy-bush and saltbush. [4] [6] [13] A survey carried out in 1980 on Little Waldegrave Island found southern seaheath, sea celery and nine other species of plant including ‘colonising weeds such as African boxthorn and common iceplant’. [6] [8] [13]

Fauna

A Survey carried out during 1979 on Waldegrave Island found the following species of birds: short-tailed shearwater, Cape Barren geese, masked plover, galah, white-fronted chat, little grassbird, Nankeen kestrel, black-faced shag, sooty oystercatcher, white-bellied sea eagle, various gulls and terns, and barn owl which prey on the population of bush rat. [3] [4] [8] A survey carried out in 1980 on Little Waldegrave Island found a population of Australian sea lions and five species of birds including rock parrot, Cape Barren geese and little penguin. [8] [14] [15] Surveys carried out on Little Waldegrave Island between February 2001 and May 2006 confirm the presence of the following bird species: white-faced heron, eastern reef egret, white-bellied sea eagle, swamp harrier, peregrine falcon, Nankeen kestrel, common greenshank, ruddy turnstone, red-necked stint, masked lapwing, rock parrot, sacred kingfisher, white-fronted chat, Australian raven, Richard's pipit, welcome swallow, silvereye and common starling. [2]

Australian sea lion

Little Waldegrave Island is the site of a breeding colony of Australian sea lion. As of 1999, the population was reported as being 38. [16] [17] On the larger island, Flinders' expedition killed "a few" Australian sea lions. [18]

Cape Barren geese

As of 1996, the Waldegrave Islands were considered to be the ’second most important breeding area’ for Cape Barren geese in South Australia and as having a breeding population of 20 pairs. As of 1999, the geese were reported as having a population of 350 and as staying ‘in the Elliston area for the summer, feeding in swamps around the margins of Lake Newland and on grain in wheat paddocks’. [4] [19]

Little penguin

The Waldegrave Islands have been reported as the site of a little penguin breeding colony. As of 1999, 300 pairs were reported in 1996 as being present on Waldegrave Island. As of 2006, the populations on Waldegrave and Little Waldegrave Islands were estimated as being respectively 600 in 2006 and as being ‘common’ in 1979. [19] [20]

History

European discovery and use

Matthew Flinders named the island group after William Waldegrave, 1st Baron Radstock on Wednesday, 10 February 1802. [4] [21]

The Waldegrave Islands is one of the island sites from which guano was mined under licence from the South Australian Government prior to 1919. [22]

Prior to 1967, Waldegrave Island was used for grazing. [4]

Protected areas status

The Waldegrave Islands first received protected area status as a fauna conservation reserve declared on 16 March 1967. [23] The Waldegrave Islands along with the Watchers were proclaimed as a conservation park under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 in 1972. [24] [25]

See also

Citations and references

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 RAN, 1979
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Shaughnessy et al, 2008, pages 17-19
  3. 1 2 Robinson et al, 1996, page 187
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Robinson et al, 1996, page 186
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 DMH, 1985, chart 38
  6. 1 2 3 4 Robinson et al, 1996, page 479
  7. ↑ CoA, 2006
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Robinson et al, 1996, page 188
  9. ↑ "The Watchers". Gazetteer of Australia online. Geoscience Australia, Australian Government.
  10. ↑ Sailing Directions (Enroute), Pub. 175: North, West, and South Coasts of Australia (PDF). Sailing Directions . United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2017. p. 179.
  11. ↑ Robinson et al, 1996, Page 12
  12. 1 2 Edyvane, 1999, page 51
  13. 1 2 Robinson et al, 1996, page 480
  14. ↑ Robinson et al, 1996, page 189
  15. ↑ Robinson et al, 1996, page 388
  16. ↑ Goldsworthy et al, 2013, page 2
  17. ↑ Edyvane, 1999, page 53
  18. ↑ "EARLY HISTORY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA No. VIII". South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889). 7 October 1882. p. 1. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  19. 1 2 Edyvane, 1999, page 52
  20. ↑ Wiebkin, 2011, page 12
  21. ↑ Flinders, 1814 (1966), page 221
  22. ↑ Robinson et al, 1996, page 134
  23. ↑ "CROWN LANDS ACT, 1929-1966: FAUNA CONSERVATION RESERVES DEDICATED" (PDF). THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. Government of South Australia. 16 March 1967. pp. 961–962. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  24. ↑ Robinson et al, 1996, pages 140 & 144
  25. ↑ DEH, 2006, page 5

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Investigator Group</span> Archipelago of Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

The Investigator Group is an archipelago in South Australia that consists of Flinders Island and five island groups located off the western coast of the Eyre Peninsula. It is named after HMS Investigator by her commander, Matthew Flinders when he explored the area in 1802. The Group lies within the Great Australian Bight. All the islands except Flinders Island, and a part of Pearson Island, are within the Investigator Group Wilderness Protection Area and the Waldegrave Islands Conservation Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuyts Archipelago</span> Group of islands off Southern Australia

The Nuyts Archipelago is an island group in South Australia in the Great Australian Bight, to the south of the town of Ceduna on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula. It consists of mostly granitic islands and reefs that provide breeding sites for Australian sea lions and support colonies of short-tailed shearwater. It also includes the island group known as the Isles of St Francis. All the islands, with the exception of a part of Evans Island, are located within the protected areas of the Nuyts Archipelago Wilderness Protection Area and the Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troubridge Island</span> Island in South Australia

Troubridge Island is an island located in the south west corner of Gulf St Vincent in South Australia near the eastern edge of the Troubridge Shoals off the east coast of Yorke Peninsula about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) southeast by east of the town of Edithburgh It is notable for being a site of an operating lighthouse from 1856 until 2002 and as a site for a sea bird rookery. Since 1982, the island has been part of the Troubridge Island Conservation Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anxious Bay</span> Bay in Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

Anxious Bay is a bay in the Australian state of South Australia located on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula about 275 kilometres west north-west of Adelaide. It was named by Matthew Flinders on 21 February 1802. It is one of four ‘historic bays’ located on the South Australian coast.

Baudin Rocks, also previously known as the Godfrey Islands, is a group of islets on the south east coast of in the Australian state of South Australia about 8.3 kilometres North-northwest of Robe. The islet group was discovered and named by Matthew Flinders in 1802 after Nicolas Baudin. The group has had protected area status since 1965 and since 1972, the group has been part of the Baudin Rocks Conservation Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penguin Island (South Australia)</span> Island in South Australia

Penguin Island is an island in the Australian state of South Australia located in Rivoli Bay on the state's south east coast of approximately 1.5 kilometres south of Beachport. From 1878 to 1960, it was the site of an operating lighthouse. Since at least 1972, it has been part of the Penguin Island Conservation Park.

Waldegrave Islands Conservation Park is a protected area located on the following islands within the Investigator Group in South Australia: the Waldegrave Island, Little Waldegrave Island and the Watchers.

Smooth Island is an island in the Australian state of South Australia located off the west coast of Eyre Peninsula about 52 kilometres south west of the town of Ceduna. It is both part of a local group of islands known as the Isles of St Francis group and a larger group known as the Nuyts Archipelago. It has enjoyed protected area status since the 1960s and since 2011, it has been part of the Nuyts Archipelago Wilderness Protection Area.

Nicolas Baudin Island is an island in the Australian state of South Australia about 500 metres west of Cape Blanche on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula about 25 kilometres south south-west of the town of Streaky Bay. The island is notable as a breeding site for Australian sea lions. The island has enjoyed protected area status since 2003 when it became part of the Nicolas Baudin Island Conservation Park.

Ward Islands is an island group in the Australian state of South Australia located in the Investigator Group about 53 kilometres west by south of Cape Finniss on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula. The group was discovered and named by Matthew Flinders on 13 February 1802. The island group has enjoyed protected area status since the 1960s and since 2011, it been part of the Investigator Group Wilderness Protection Area.

Topgallant Islands is an island group in the Australian state of South Australia located in the Investigator Group about 22 kilometres south west of Cape Finniss on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula. The group was discovered and named by Matthew Flinders on 13 February 1802. The island group has enjoyed protected area status since the 1960s and since 2011, it has been part of the Investigator Group Wilderness Protection Area.

Cape Finniss is a headland located at the southern extremity of Anxious Bay on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula in South Australia about 6 kilometres Northwest by west of the town of Elliston. It is described as being ‘a rocky headland with a rounded top, 47 metres high.’ Cape Finniss is linked by a submerged reef which is considered to be ‘remnants of a once more prominent Cape Finnis(s)’ to the Waldegrave Islands which are located to the cape's north west.

Jones Island is an island in the Australian state of South Australia located at the mouth of Baird Bay in the north end of Anxious Bay about 45 kilometres south-southeast of the town of Streaky Bay on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula. The island is notable as a breeding site for Australian sea lions and Australian pelicans. The island has enjoyed protected area status since 1967 and as of 1972, it has been part of the Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park.

Pearson Isles is an island group located in the Australian state of South Australia about 65 kilometres to 72 kilometres west south-west of Cape Finniss on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula within the larger island group, the Investigator Group. The group was discovered and named by Matthew Flinders on 13 February 1802. The group has four members - Pearson Island, a pair of islands known as the Veteran Isles and Dorothee Island. The island group has enjoyed protected area status starting in 1916 and since 2011, it has been part of the Investigator Group Wilderness Protection Area. The island group is notable as a venue for scientific research.

Dorothee Island is an island in the Australian state of South Australia which is part of the Pearson Isles which itself is part of the larger island grouping known as the Investigator Group. It is located about 69 kilometres west south-west of Cape Finniss on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula. It was discovered as part of the Pearson Isles by Matthew Flinders on 13 February 1802. The island was given its name in August 1969 in order to preserve a name used within the locality by the Baudin expedition. The island has enjoyed protected area status since at least 1972 and since 2011, it been part of the Investigator Group Wilderness Protection Area.

Veteran Isles is a pair of islands in the Australian state of South Australia which is part of the Pearson Isles which itself is part of the larger island group known as the Investigator Group. It is located about 69 kilometres west south-west of Cape Finniss on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula. It was discovered as part of the Pearson Isles by Matthew Flinders on 13 February 1802. The island was given its name in August 1969 in order to preserve a name used within the locality by the Baudin expedition. The island has enjoyed protected area status since at least 1972 and since 2011, it been part of the Investigator Group Wilderness Protection Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pearson Island</span> Island in South Australia

Pearson Island is an island located in the Australian state of South Australia within the Pearson Isles an island group located in the larger group known as the Investigator Group about 63 kilometres southwest by west of Cape Finniss on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula. The group was discovered and named by Matthew Flinders on 13 February 1802. The island group has enjoyed protected area status since the 1960s and since 2011, it has been part of the Investigator Group Wilderness Protection Area. Pearson Island is notable both for its colony of Pearson Island Rock wallaby and for being a destination for scientific research.

Royston Island is an island in the Australian state of South Australia at the northern end of Pondalowie Bay on the south-west extremity of Yorke Peninsula about 13 kilometres north-west of the town of Stenhouse Bay. The island has enjoyed protected area status since 1967 and since 1972, it has been part of the Innes National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Island (South Australia)</span> Island in South Australia

South Island is an island located in the Australian state of South Australia at the south end of Pondalowie Bay on the south-west extremity of Yorke Peninsula about 11 kilometres north-west by west of the town of Stenhouse Bay. The island has enjoyed protected area status since 1970 and since 1977, it has been part of the Innes National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dangerous Reef</span>

Dangerous Reef is an island and reef system located in the Spencer Gulf in the Australian state of South Australia about 32.5 kilometres (20.2 mi) east-southeast of the city, Port Lincoln. It is the southernmost member of the Sir Joseph Banks Group. It has been the site of a navigation aid since 1911. It is notable as the site of a breeding colony of Australian sea lions. The waters adjoining its shore are notable as a place to view great white sharks to the extent that it was both a popular gamefishing and shark cage diving venue during the twentieth century, and was used to film footage for the following motion pictures – Blue Water White Death and Jaws. The island has enjoyed protected area status since 1900 and it has been part of the Sir Joseph Banks Group Conservation Park since 1989.

References


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.