Troubridge Island is a small sandy island lying about 7 km east of Sultana Point on the Yorke Peninsula at the south-western end of Gulf St Vincent, South Australia. It is important as a seabird colony site.
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Troubridge is a low island with a maximum height of about 5 m above sea level. Its land area is only about 3 ha at high tide but expands to about 8 ha of exposed sand flats at low tide. Apart from an automated lighthouse with two associated cottages used for tourist accommodation, the island is designated as a conservation park. Access is only by permit or with an approved commercial tour operator.[1]
Most of the 31 plant species recorded from the island are introduced. The vegetation consists of low shrubland dominated by Nitre Bush, Grey Saltbush and African Boxthorn. Other prominent plants present are Tree Mallow, Sea Rocket, Marram Grass and Hairy Spinifex.[1]
The island has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports over 1% of the world populations of Black-faced Cormorants (with up to 4000 individuals) and Silver Gulls (with up to 10,000 breeding pairs.[2] It also supports breeding colonies of Little Penguins, Caspian, Crested and Fairy Terns, Pied Cormorants and, sometimes, small numbers of Pacific Gulls. It provides foraging habitat for Red-necked Stints. Rock Parrots have been recorded.[1]
Troubridge Island is part of Troubridge Shoals, which extend across much of Investigator Strait to Yorke Peninsula, and constitutes a hazard to shipping, and has been the cause of over 33 wrecks and groundings. In 1850, at least seven vessels ran aground, precipitating the erection of a lighthouse in 1855. One notable wreck was the Clan Ranald of 2,258 tons which, fully loaded with bagged wheat and flour destined for London, was wrecked off Troubridge Hill and sank on the night of 31 January 1909 with the loss of 40 men.[3]