Seagull Island (Tiwi Islands) facts for kids
Seagull Island is a small, long island made of sand. It is about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) long and covers 58 hectares (143 acres). This island is located about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) off the coast of Cape Van Diemen. This area is on the northwest side of Melville Island, which is part of the Tiwi Island group in the Northern Territory of Australia. Seagull Island is a very important place for many seabirds to have their babies.
About Seagull Island
What the Island Looks Like
Seagull Island is covered with different kinds of grass and vines. It is also a special nesting spot for olive ridley sea turtles. These turtles come to the island to lay their eggs. The land on Seagull Island is owned by the Tiwi Aboriginal Land Trust. This means it is Aboriginal freehold land, managed by the traditional owners of the area.
Amazing Birds and Animals
BirdLife International has named Seagull Island an Important Bird Area (IBA). This is because it has the largest group of greater crested terns in the world! People have counted up to 29,000 nests there. These terns are seabirds that look a bit like gulls but are usually more graceful.
The traditional owners of the island carefully collect some of the tern eggs. This has been a part of their culture for a very long time.
Besides the terns, about 800 silver gulls also make their nests on Seagull Island. You might also find bridled and roseate terns nesting there. Many other birds use the island as a resting spot during their long journeys. These include large numbers of common and little terns. Smaller groups of frigatebirds and brown boobies also visit the island.
