Michaelmas and Upolu Cays is a national park in Queensland, Australia, 1,409 km (876 mi) north-northwest of Brisbane and 33 km (21 mi) east of Cairns. It comprises two small cays on Michaelmas Reef, which forms the north-eastern section of the Arlington reef complex, within the Great Barrier Reef.
| Michaelmas and Upolu Cays National Park Queensland | |
|---|---|
 Michaelmas Cay | |
  Michaelmas and Upolu Cays National Park | |
| Nearest town or city | Cairns |
| Coordinates | 16°36′30″S 145°58′21″E / 16.60833°S 145.97250°E |
| Established | 1975 |
| Area | 30 km2 |
| Managing authorities | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Michaelmas and Upolu Cays National Park |
| See also | Protected areas of Queensland |
Flora and fauna
editPlants
editThe vegetation on Michaelmas Cay is characteristic of cays found on the outer barrier reef. Low-growing, it consists of beach spinifex, stalky grass, goatsfoot, bulls-head vine, sea purslane and tar vine. Nutrients fertilising the vegetation come from seabird droppings and carcasses. The smaller Upolu Cay is un-vegetated.[1]
Animals
editMichaelmas Cay is important as a breeding site for several species of terns. It has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because it supports over 1% of the world populations of greater and lesser crested terns.[2] Sooty terns and common noddies also breed there. Other terns that have nested on the cay in the past include roseate and black-naped terns.[3]
Green turtles sometimes nest on the cays. The surrounding reefs have a rich marine fauna, including giant clams.[1]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b "Michaelmas and Upolu Cays National Park". Michaelmas and Upolu Cays National Park. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ "IBA: Michaelmas Cay". Birdata. Birds Australia. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- ^ BirdLife International. (2011). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Michaelmas Cay. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org Archived 3 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine on 15 August 2011.
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