Thevenard Island: Difference between revisions
==Fauna==
==Fauna==
{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=left|frame-width=200|frame-height=200|type=line|stroke-width=3|id=Q123145261|text=Extend of the Thevenard Island Nature Reserve}}
Classified as a C class nature reserve, Thevenard Island is visited by [[green sea turtle]]s, [[flatback sea turtle]]s, [[loggerhead sea turtle]]s and [[hawksbill sea turtle]]s who lay their eggs on the beaches between November and March.{{Cite web|url=https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/pilbara-inshore-islands|title=Pilbara Inshore Islands | Explore Parks WA | Parks and Wildlife Service}}{{Cite web|url=https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/thevenard-island-nature-reserve|title = Thevenard Island Nature Reserve | Explore Parks WA | Parks and Wildlife Service}}
Classified as a C class nature reserve, Thevenard Island is visited by [[green sea turtle]]s, [[flatback sea turtle]]s, [[loggerhead sea turtle]]s and [[hawksbill sea turtle]]s who lay their eggs on the beaches between November and March.{{Cite web|url=https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/pilbara-inshore-islands|title=Pilbara Inshore Islands | Explore Parks WA | Parks and Wildlife Service}}{{Cite web|url=https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/thevenard-island-nature-reserve|title = Thevenard Island Nature Reserve | Explore Parks WA | Parks and Wildlife Service}}
Island in Western Australia
Thevenard Island is located approximately 22 kilometres (14 mi) off the coast of Onslow in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.[1][2] The majority of the island and the waters around it are covered by the Thevenard Island Nature Reserve, which was declared in 1975 and has a size of 2,172 hectares (5,370 acres).[3]
Description[edit]
Thevenard Island is the largest of a group of ten islands and atolls unofficially called the Mackerel Islands.[4] Two islands in the group, Thevenard Island and Direction Island, have accommodation for tourists.[5] There is a 1,000-metre (3,281 ft) brick paved runway on Thevenard.[6] The island can be reached by a ferry service operating from the mainland at Onslow, recreational boats, helicopter and light scenic plane.[7]
Thevenard Island is approximately 6 kilometres (4 mi) in length[4] and occupies a total area of 550 hectares (1,359 acres).[8] It is surrounded by limestone reefs and platforms, with diverse coral assemblages on the northern side.[9] Areas of deep sandy soil are found on the island supporting Acacia and Triodia shrubland and coastal heath scrub.[10]
Tourism facilities exist in a resort on Thevenard Island including accommodation, a general store, barbeques, boat moorings, airstrip and fuel facilities.[11] There is also a solar power and desalination plant providing fresh water to the island. Available activities include fishing, diving and snorkelling.[12]
Extend of the Thevenard Island Nature Reserve
Classified as a C class nature reserve, Thevenard Island is visited by green sea turtles, flatback sea turtles, loggerhead sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles who lay their eggs on the beaches between November and March.[13][14]
The waters off-shore are also home to several species of dolphins including bottlenose, spinner, striped, common and humpback dolphins.[15]
Whales that have been observed in the area include the pilot whale, false killer whale, sei whale, bryde’s whale and humpback whales. Humpbacks migrate south from June to October, with calving taking place in August.
Dugongs (sea cows) are also found in waters around the island and can be observed feeding and calving in waters less than 5 metres (16 ft) deep. Dugong breeding occurs between September and April.
Twenty-four species of land birds have been recorded on Thevenard Island. In addition, there are up to 31 species of migratory birds occurring in the Mackerel Islands area, including kestrels, quails, godwits, plovers, sandpipers and harriers. Some birds migrate from remote northern hemisphere locations as far as Siberia, and are protected by international treaties. Seabirds, such as terns and shearwaters, nest from October to January.[16]
A total of nine reptile species have been recorded on the island including goannas, dragons, skinks, geckos and ta-ta lizards. No rare or endangered reptiles have been recorded.
The only native land mammal on the island is the endangered forrest’s mouse or short-tailed mouse. The domestic mouse also inhabits the island and is most likely to have been introduced.[10]
History[edit]
The island was visited by indigenous Australians before and after its separation from the mainland, approximately 8,000 years ago.[17]
In 1964, Onslow local residents Ian Blair and Adrian Day were granted a lease on Thevenard Island and Direction Island by the Government of Western Australia. In 1973, a group of local farmers purchased the business. From there, the accommodation and facilities on the islands developed…