Seasonal closure areas for nesting birds on the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park

Issued: 11 October 2024

The annual summer closure of Woody Island, and the beaches next to Taylor Cay and Sisters Island in the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park will take place from October 2024 for six months to protect nesting and roosting coastal birds.

These islands and beaches will be closed to campers and day-trippers until 31 March 2025 – opening in time for the Easter school holidays. On Woody Island, buoys are in place that indicate the ongoing seasonal closure.

The seasonal closures will ensure that birds can nest in peace. Each location is very important for different bird species.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Principal Ranger, Dan Schaper, said, “These seasonal closures are used to protect areas of the marine park and minimise human impacts on these important breeding grounds for seabirds, shorebirds and pied imperial pigeons.

“The annual closures are part of the management plan for these islands as they are incredibly important for nature conservation. We need to protect them from the impact of people at the most crucial breeding times.”

Woody Island, part of Low Isles off Port Douglas, provides nesting sites for globally significant numbers of pied imperial pigeons. Seabirds and shorebirds also nest here.

Sisters Island, part of Barnard Island Group National Park, supports the second largest nesting colony of lesser crested terns in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, and globally significant numbers of bridled terns.

Taylor Cay, on Taylor Reef offshore from Mission Beach, provides an important roosting location for thousands of seabirds. Over the last few years, rangers have noticed Taylor Cay is being used by more birds due to its increasing size, and some birds have also started to nest here.

Mr Schaper said, “It’s essential that we protect our marine life in Queensland to allow the time for these birds to nest, and ensure we preserve and conserve Queensland’s diverse environment and iconic species.”