Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park South Australia
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park Location in South Australia
Nearest town or city	Streaky Bay
Established	16 March 1967
Area	11 ha (27 acres)
Visitation	"numbers unknown" (in 2006)
Managing authorities	Department for Environment and Water
See also	Protected areas of South Australia

The Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia. It helps look after two islands located in Baird Bay. This bay is on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula. The islands are about 32 to 45 kilometers (20 to 28 miles) west of a town called Streaky Bay.

These two islands are an unnamed island inside Baird Bay and Jones Island just outside the bay's mouth. Both islands were first protected on March 16, 1967. They were called "fauna conservation reserves" back then. Later, on April 27, 1972, they officially became the Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park. This happened when a new law, the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, was put into place.

What Makes the Park Special?

In 1980, experts described the islands in the park. They said both were low, flat islands made of limestone.

The Unnamed Island

The unnamed island is inside Baird Bay. At low tide, you can actually walk to it from the mainland! This island has many plants that were brought there by people, not ones that grew there naturally.

Jones Island

Jones Island is located just off the mouth of Baird Bay. This island is very important because it still has its natural plants and animals. It's in great condition because new, non-native plants haven't taken over there.

Why the Islands are Protected

The main reason these islands are protected is to keep them safe for many kinds of sea-birds. These birds use the islands as a place to breed and raise their young. Some of the special birds found here include:

• The uncommon osprey (a type of fish-eating hawk)
• Pelicans
• Sooty oystercatchers (a black shorebird)
• Crested terns (a seabird with a shaggy crest)

Jones Island is also home to a group of Australian sea-lions. These amazing marine mammals use the island as a place to rest and breed.

Park Classification

The Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park is known as an IUCN Category IV protected area. This means it's managed mainly to protect specific habitats and species. In 1980, the park was also listed on the former Register of the National Estate. This was a list of places in Australia that were important for their natural or cultural value.