Fauna and floraFauna and flora

Fauna and flora

Classified as a nature reserve by NPWS, Montague Island is recognised for its abundance of unique fauna and flora.

The island supports NSW’s largest colony of Eudyptula minor (or little penguin) that breeds on the island. Additionally, Australian fur seals and New Zealand fur seals are regular visitors to the Island with up to 10,000 counted along the shores during peak season.

Humpback whales are frequently spotted passing Montague Island during spring, with some Orcinus orca, or killer whales, occasionally seen in nearby waters.

The island has approximately 90 bird species that migrate to the area throughout the year. Of these, 12 species are known to nest on the island including short-tailed shearwaters, wedge-tailed shearwaters, Gould’s kites, peregrine falcons, swamp harriers, crested terns, and silver gulls.

Over 200 plant species have been identified on Montague Island.2 Whilst many are introduced to the island, the majority of the island is covered by Lomandra longifolia (mat-rush). Other flora recorded includes:

• tussock grass, found along the Island’s northern

slopes

• Westringia fruticosa
• Pelargonium austral
• Melaleuca armillaris
• Correa alba, found along the cliff edges
• coastal wattle

A Montague Island Nature Reserve Plan of Management was published in 1996 and offers additional information on the environmental management of the reserve.b NPWS is currently undertaking a review of this plan.