Beesley Island facts for kids
Beesley Island is a small, special island located in Queensland, Australia. It's part of the amazing Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which is a huge protected area in the ocean. Beesley Island is also found within the Piper Islands National Park.
This island is a really important place for birds. It's known for being a safe home where many birds can raise their families.
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Beesley Island: A Home for Birds
Beesley Island is quite small, rising about 20 feet (or 6 meters) above the sea. Even though it's not very big, it plays a huge role in nature.
Where is Beesley Island?
You can find Beesley Island in a place called Temple Bay. It's about 100 kilometers (that's about 62 miles) northeast of Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park and the town of Lockhart River. It's also about 50 kilometers (around 31 miles) south of Cape Grenville. Imagine it as a little dot in a vast, beautiful ocean.
Why is Beesley Island Important?
Beesley Island isn't alone; it's part of a group of islands called the Piper Islands. This group also includes Baird, Farmer, and Fisher Islands. Together, these islands are recognized as an "Important Bird Area" by an organization called BirdLife International.
This special title means the islands are super important for certain types of birds. For example, many pied imperial pigeons and black noddies come here to build their nests and have their chicks. It's like a big nursery for these feathered friends! Protecting these islands helps these bird populations stay healthy and strong.
What is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park?
Beesley Island is inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This park is one of the world's largest marine protected areas. It helps to look after the incredible Great Barrier Reef, which is the biggest coral reef system on Earth. The park protects not just the corals, but also all the amazing sea creatures and islands like Beesley Island that are part of this ecosystem. It's all about keeping this natural wonder safe for future generations.
