The first comprehensive seabird survey for over 10 years was recently completed in order to gauge the population health of key seabirds including the wedge-tailed shearwater and black noddy. Supported by Wild Mob volunteers and Reef Catchments, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Australasian Seabird Association spent close to 10 days surveying North-West, Tyron, Wreck, Wilson, Heron, Masthead, Hoskyn, Fairfax and Lady Musgrave Islands.
More than 25% of all Australia’s tropical seabirds occur within the Great Barrier Reef area. Key nesting areas are restricted to fewer than 60 islands of which many of the most important, are on the Capricorn Cays Islands east of Gladstone.
Many seabird populations within the Great Barrier Reef have been known to be in decline for some time. Data collected during the most recent survey is currently being analyzed however results will be known shortly. Check back here in the coming weeks to see how the Great Barrier Reef’s iconic seabirds are faring.