Jones Island (South Australia) facts for kids
 Jones Island
Location in South Australia
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Great Australian Bight |
| Coordinates | 33°11′05″S 134°21′59″E / 33.18481°S 134.3663°E |
| Area | 8 ha (20 acres) |
| Administration | |
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Australia
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Jones Island is a small island in South Australia. It is found at the entrance of Baird Bay, which is at the northern end of Anxious Bay. The island is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) south-southeast of the town of Streaky Bay.
Jones Island is very special because it's a breeding spot for Australian sea lions and Australian pelicans. To protect these animals and their home, the island has been a protected area since 1967. Since 1972, it has been part of the Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park.
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About Jones Island: Location and Shape
Jones Island is located on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. It sits at the mouth of Baird Bay. The island is about 3.8 kilometers (2.4 miles) south of the small town of Baird Bay.
The island is about 600 meters (about 2,000 feet) long. Its widest part is about 400 meters (about 1,300 feet) across. The southern and eastern sides of the island have steep, sharp cliffs. These cliffs face the open ocean. On the other hand, the northern and western sides are more sheltered. They have a flat ledge.
It can be tricky to get onto the island. There isn't a good beach or inlet for boats to land. Also, the waves around the island can be rough. This means getting to Jones Island often depends on good weather.
How Jones Island Was Formed
Jones Island was formed about 6,000 years ago. This happened when sea levels rose at the start of a period called the Holocene. The island is made of a type of rock called calcarenite. This layer sits on top of a base of granite.
Scientists believe Jones Island is what's left of a "calcarenite wall." This wall once protected a low-lying valley to the north from the ocean. The island is also part of a larger system of underwater reefs. These reefs stretch about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Baird Bay's southern headland.
Plants and Animals of Jones Island
Jones Island is home to various plants and animals. It's an important place for many species.
Plants on the Island
In 1983, a study looked at the plants growing on Jones Island. They found five main types of plants:
- Coast daisy-bush
- Nitre-bush
- Austral stork's bill
- Introduced pasture grasses (mostly on the northwest side)
- Round-leaved pigface
Animals and Their Reproduction
Many different animals live on Jones Island. These include mammals, birds, and reptiles.
- Mammals: The only mammal found here is the Australian sea lion. They use the island as a place to rest. More importantly, they use it as a breeding colony. This means they have their pups here.
- Birds: As of 2006, many bird species have been seen on the island. Some of these include the white-faced heron, sooty oystercatcher, and Australian pelican. Most birds use the island to rest or roost. However, the Australian pelican also uses it as a breeding colony. This means they build nests and raise their young here. Other birds observed include the welcome swallow, silver gull, little grassbird, rock parrot, osprey, black cormorant, black-faced cormorant, willie wagtail, crested tern, common starling, and masked plover.
- Reptiles: Only one type of reptile has been seen on the island. This is the bull skink.
History of Jones Island
Jones Island has a simple history regarding human use.
Early European Use
In the past, early farmers used some islands off the Eyre Peninsula for grazing their animals. This meant they cleared some of the natural plants. Jones Island was one of these islands.
The island was officially named in 1908. It was named after J.W. Jones. He was an important employee of the South Australian Government. He worked as a Secretary for the Premier and for the Commissioner of Public Works.
Protecting Jones Island
Jones Island is a very important place for wildlife. Because of this, it has special protection.
It first became a protected area on March 16, 1967. This was done under a law called the Crown Lands Act 1929-1966. It was protected as a place for animals. Since 1972, Jones Island has been part of the Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park. This park helps protect the island's natural environment.
Since 2012, the waters around Jones Island have also been protected. They are part of a special "habitat protection zone" within the West Coast Bays Marine Park. This helps keep the ocean environment safe for marine life.
Jones Island is also located at the edge of an area known as a "wetland of national importance." This area covers all of Baird Bay. It has been recognized for its importance since at least 1996 in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia.
