Waterhouse Island (Tasmania)

Waterhouse Island is an island, with an area of 287 ha (709 ac; 1.11 mi²), in south-eastern Australia. It is part of the Waterhouse Island Group, lying close to the north-eastern coast of Tasmania. Most of it has been leased for farming and it contains a homestead, farm buildings and an airstrip. The vegetation is dominated by introduced pasture grasses. Livestock grazing has caused erosion which has affected the shearwater colonies.[1]

The island is named after Captain Henry Waterhouse of the Reliance. Nicholas Baudin stopped at the island in 1802 mistakenly thinking the name meant fresh water could be found there, which was not the case.[2]

Fauna

Recorded breeding seabird species are the Little Penguin and Short-tailed Shearwater. Introduced mammals include sheep, cats, Fallow Deer and House Mice. Reptiles present include the Metallic Skink, Spotted Skink, Three-lined Skink, Bougainville's Skink and White's Skink.[1]

Waterhouse Island Group

Besides Waterhouse Island, the Waterhouse Island Group includes the following:

References

  1. ^ a b Brothers, Nigel; Pemberton, David; Pryor, Helen; & Halley, Vanessa. (2001). Tasmania’s Offshore Islands: seabirds and other natural features. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery: Hobart. ISBN 0-7246-4816-X
  2. ^