The Egg Islands
Photo Gallery »We have an exciting opportunity to give permanent protection to a unique area of Tasmania, home to endangered birds and the plants and ecosystems that support them.
Two-thirds of the purchase price has already been pledged from the Australian Government's National Reserve System Programme - this means that every dollar you give will effectively be matched by two dollars from the Australian Government.
The Egg Islands are a beautiful mosaic of wetland, marsh, scrub and forest communities. This includes significant areas of endangered black gum (Eucalyptus ovata) forest in excellent condition. Together these ecosystems provide prime habitat for a wide range of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Short-beaked echidnas and pademelons are among the many animals at home here; of particular importance is the presence of the globally endangered Australasian bittern.
We need to raise $200,000 to release that funding, to complete the purchase and manage the land for conservation.
The bittern is just one of the birds that finds a home among the forests, wetlands, riverbanks and marshes of the Egg Islands. The area provides foraging or nesting habitat for 87 Australian bird species. The endangered grey goshawk (Accipter novaehollandiae), swift parrot (Lathamus discolor) and wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax) have all been officially records in the vicinity.
Photography Credits: Aerial - Matthew Newton, Australasian Bittern - Peter Fuller
the spirit creature who lurks in swamps, creeks and waterholes, eating crayfish and making loud terrifying noises at night.
