Farmer Island facts for kids
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern Australia |
| Coordinates | 12°14′38″S 143°13′34″E / 12.244°S 143.226°E |
| Area | 0.05 km2 (0.019 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| State | Queensland |
Farmer Island is a small, important island located in Queensland, Australia. It is part of the beautiful Piper Islands National Park and sits within the huge Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This island is a special place, especially for birds! It's only about 5 hectares (or 0.05 square kilometers) in size, which is roughly the size of five rugby fields.
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Farmer Island: A Special Place
Farmer Island might be small, but it plays a big role in nature. It's known for being a safe home for many birds. The island is part of a group called the Piper Islands, which includes nearby Baird, Beesley, and Fisher Islands. Together, these islands are recognized as an Important Bird Area.
Where is Farmer Island?
Farmer Island is located in a part of Australia called Northern Australia. You can find it in Temple Bay, which is a bay along the coast of Queensland.
- It's about 100 kilometers northeast of Kutini-Payamu National Park and the town of Lockhart River.
- It's also about 50 kilometers south of Cape Grenville.
These locations are in a remote and wild part of Australia, making Farmer Island a peaceful spot for wildlife.
Home to Amazing Birds
Farmer Island and its neighbors are super important for birds. They are recognized as an Important Bird Area by an organization called BirdLife International. This means they are crucial breeding spots for certain types of birds.
Why are these birds special?
Two main types of birds love to breed on Farmer Island:
- Pied imperial pigeons: These are large, beautiful white pigeons with black wingtips. They fly to these islands to nest and raise their young.
- Black noddies: These are small, dark seabirds that also come to the islands in large numbers to build nests and lay eggs.
The islands provide a safe place for these birds to raise their families away from predators found on the mainland.
Protecting Farmer Island
Farmer Island is protected in two important ways:
- Piper Islands National Park: This means the island's natural environment is kept safe and preserved for its wildlife. National parks help protect special places for future generations.
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: Farmer Island is also inside this massive marine park, which protects the coral reefs and marine life around the island. This helps keep the waters clean and healthy for all the creatures that live there, including the birds that feed in the surrounding ocean.
These protections ensure that Farmer Island remains a vital home for its bird populations and a beautiful part of Australia's natural heritage.
