# Busby Islet

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Island in South Australia

This article is about the islet in South Australia. For the associated conservation park, see [Busby Islet Conservation Park](/source/Busby_Islet_Conservation_Park).

Busby Islet Busby Islet Geography Location Nepean Bay Coordinates 35°37′27″S 137°38′26″E / 35.62416°S 137.6405°E / -35.62416; 137.6405 Area 10 ha (25 acres)[1] Highest elevation 1 m (3 ft)[2] Administration Australia Demographics Population 0

**Busby Islet** (also known as **Bushy Island** and **Anchorage Island**) is an [islet](/source/Islet) in the Australian state of [South Australia](/source/South_Australia) located in [Nepean Bay](/source/Nepean_Bay) on the north coast of [Kangaroo Island](/source/Kangaroo_Island) about 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) north of the municipal seat of [Kingscote](/source/Kingscote%2C_South_Australia). The islet and adjoining areas are notable as habitat for bird life. The islet has enjoyed [protected area](/source/Protected_area) status since 1909 and since at least 1972, have been part of the [Busby Islet Conservation Park](/source/Busby_Islet_Conservation_Park).

## Description

Busby Islet is an islet located in Nepean Bay about 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) east of Kingscote on Kangaroo Island in South Australia.[3][4] Busby Islet along with the Beatrice Islets are three high points on the southern edge of a [spit](/source/Spit_(landform)) that is exposed at low water. The spit which is named ‘The Spit’ extends from Cape Rouge about 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) north of Kingscote in a south easterly direction across the opening of the [Bay of Shoals](/source/Bay_of_Shoals) for a distance of about 5 nautical miles (9.3 kilometres; 5.8 miles).[1][2][3] Busby Islet covers an area of about 10 hectares (25 acres) and as of 1996 had a maximum elevation of one metre (3.3 ft).[2]

## Formation, geology and oceanography

The conditions for the creation of The Spit and therefore Busby Islet and the [Beatrice Islets](/source/Beatrice_Islets) became possible about 7500 years ago when sea levels reached current levels.[5] The islet is composed of sand and sandgrit, which has formed into 'low dunes' at the islet's summit.[1][2] The islet is part of a drying spit at low water which falls to a depth of 5 m (16 ft) within about 0.25 km (0.16 mi) to the south.[3]

## Flora and fauna

### Flora

As of 1996, Busby Islet was reported as supporting a ‘low shrubland of highly salt-tolerant succulents such as [grey samphire](/source/Tecticornia_australasica), [glassworts](/source/Glasswort) and [Austral seablite](/source/Suaeda_australis)’ while the summit of the island supports ‘marginally less salt tolerant [nitre bush](/source/Nitre_bush) and [African boxthorn](/source/Lycium_ferocissimum).’[2]

### Fauna

Sources dated 1987 and 1996 suggest that bird species are the dominant fauna.[1][2] As of 1980 and 1981, the following bird species were observed on Busby Islet: [Australian pelican](/source/Australian_pelican), [black-faced shag](/source/Black-faced_cormorant), [little pied cormorant](/source/Little_pied_cormorant), [little black cormorant](/source/Little_black_cormorant), [pied cormorant](/source/Pied_cormorant), [white-faced heron](/source/White-faced_heron), [sacred ibis](/source/Sacred_ibis), [chestnut teal](/source/Chestnut_teal), [black swan](/source/Black_swan), [brown falcon](/source/Brown_falcon), [grey plover](/source/Grey_plover), [pied oystercatcher](/source/Pied_oystercatcher), [sooty oystercatcher](/source/Sooty_oystercatcher), [ruddy turnstone](/source/Ruddy_turnstone), [silver gull](/source/Silver_gull), [pacific gull](/source/Pacific_gull), [caspian tern](/source/Caspian_tern), [fairy tern](/source/Fairy_tern), [crested tern](/source/Crested_tern), [sharp-tailed sandpiper](/source/Sharp-tailed_sandpiper), [red-necked stint](/source/Red-necked_stint), [curlew sandpiper](/source/Curlew_sandpiper), [eastern curlew](/source/Eastern_curlew), [whimbrel](/source/Eurasian_whimbrel), [greenshank](/source/Greenshank), [rock parrot](/source/Rock_parrot), [raven](/source/Raven) and [little grassbird](/source/Little_grassbird).[1]

#### Little penguins

Historically, [little penguins](/source/Little_penguin) could be found in burrows in the vicinity of Busby Islet and its adjacent sandbanks.[6] The species was not listed in the bird list published in the management plan for the Busby Islet Conservation Park, which was collated during surveys in 1980 and 1981.[1] As of 2011, this colony is believed to be extinct.[7]

## History

### European discovery and use

Busby Islet is reported as being originally named by [Matthew Flinders](/source/Matthew_Flinders) as Bushy Island. However, it is reported that a possible spelling error has resulted in Busby Island being the official name since at least 1869. The name Anchorage Island has also been used for the islet. The name Bushy Island is still used on [British Admiralty](/source/British_Admiralty) [charts](/source/Nautical_chart) and within American sources.[8][9][10] Busby Islet is one of the island sites from which [guano](/source/Guano) was mined under licence from the [South Australian Government](/source/Government_of_South_Australia) prior to 1919.[11]

## Protected areas status

Further information: [Busby Islet Conservation Park](/source/Busby_Islet_Conservation_Park)

Busby Islet first received [protected area](/source/Protected_area) status on 13 May 1909 under the *Birds Protection Act 1900*. The islets were subsequently proclaimed as a fauna reserve under the *Fauna Conservation Act 1964*, dedicated again in 1967 ‘for the conservation of wildlife habitat’ and then as a conservation park under the *[National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972](/source/National_Parks_and_Wildlife_Act_1972)* in 1972.[1][12] 16 March 1967 As of 2012, the waters adjoining the islet is within a sanctuary zone within the [Encounter Marine Park](/source/Encounter_Marine_Park).[13] Accordingly, as of October 2014, the islet has been a 'no entry' area as part of the marine park's regulatory regime.[14] Busby Islet is also part of a larger area that includes the extent of The Spit within Nepean Bay including the Beatrice Islets and which was included in a non-statutory listing of nationally important wetlands located in South Australia as part of *[A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia](/source/A_Directory_of_Important_Wetlands_in_Australia)*.[15]

## See also

- [List of islands of Australia](/source/List_of_islands_of_Australia)

## Citations and references

### Citations

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NPWS26_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NPWS26_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-NPWS26_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-NPWS26_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-NPWS26_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-NPWS26_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-NPWS26_1-6) NPWS, 1987, page 26

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Robinson301_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Robinson301_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Robinson301_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Robinson301_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Robinson301_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Robinson301_2-5) Robinson et al, 1996, page 301

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-DMH_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-DMH_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-DMH_3-2) DMH, 1985, Charts 11 & 12

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NPWS27_4-0)** NPWS, 1987, page 27

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Robinson & Armstrong, 1999, page 26

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["FIELD NATURALISTS' CRUISE TO KANGAROO ISLAND"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article94733383). *[South Australian Weekly Chronicle](/source/South_Australian_Weekly_Chronicle)*. Vol. XXX, no. 1, 547. South Australia. 14 April 1888. p. 9. Retrieved 29 July 2019 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Wiebkin, 2011, page 12

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Property Location Browser Report Placename Details: search results for 'Busby Island'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161012010923/http://maps.sa.gov.au/plb/). Government of South Australia. Archived from [the original](http://maps.sa.gov.au/plb/#) on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** MOD, 1983

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [*Sailing Directions (Enroute),*Pub. 175:*North, West, and South Coasts of Australia*](https://msi.nga.mil/api/publications/download?key=16694491/SFH00000/Pub175bk.pdf&type=view) (PDF). *[Sailing Directions](/source/Sailing_Directions)*. [United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency](/source/National_Geospatial-Intelligence_Agency). 2017. p. 216.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Robinson et al, 1996, page 134

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Robinson et al, 1996, pages 138, 140 & 147

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Encounter Marine Park Management plan summary"](http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/a27fabf3-c4fc-4b93-85b4-a11f00f2f772/mp-gen-mgmtplansumm-15-encounter.pdf) (PDF). Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. p. 2 of 6. Retrieved 17 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Bay of Shoals Sanctuary Zone"](http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/11dd7331-1bfe-4670-95f9-a3f70100fffc/141204_Bay-of-Shoals-_Map_information_insert_Original.pdf) (PDF). Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. Retrieved 30 December 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Eyles et al, 2001, page 77

### References

- South Australia. Department of Marine and Harbors (DMH) (1985), *The Waters of South Australia a series of charts, sailing notes and coastal photographs*, Dept. of Marine and Harbors, South Australia, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7243-7603-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7243-7603-2)

- National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) (1987). [*Conservation Parks of Kangaroo Island Management Plan*](http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/e41e4e27-da1d-4a81-970a-9e4f00b185f9/PARKS_PDFS_CP_OF_KI_MP.pdf) (PDF). National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment and Planning, South Australia. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7243-8983-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7243-8983-0). Retrieved 23 December 2014.

- Robinson, A. C.; Canty, P.; Mooney, T.; Rudduck, P. (1996). [*South Australia's offshore islands*](http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/5a7dbb25-70b9-4ceb-bbfd-a25800961994/offshore-islands-gen.pdf) (PDF). Australian Heritage Commission. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-644-35011-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-644-35011-2). Retrieved 13 December 2013.

- Robinson, A. C.; Armstrong, D. M., eds. (1999). [*A biological survey of Kangaroo Island South Australia in November 1989 and 1990*](http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/fb13b9bf-5c8e-445c-9c3c-a1c600c14815/ki-biological-survey-climate-geology-landuse-gen.pdf) (PDF). Adelaide, SA: Heritage and Biodiversity Section, Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, South Australia. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7308-5862-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7308-5862-1). Retrieved 1 May 2014.

- ["Australian Wetlands Database - Directory Wetland Information Sheet: Busby and Beatrice Islets - SA023"](http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/wetlands/report.pl). Commonwealth of Australia (C of A), Department of the Environment. 1995. Retrieved 24 December 2014.

- Eyles, Kathy; Larmour, Geoff; Young, Sarah; Australia. Environment Australia; Natural Heritage Trust (Australia). National Wetlands Program (2001), [*A Directory of important wetlands in Australia*](http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/18f0bb21-b67c-4e99-a155-cb5255398568/files/directory.pdf) (PDF) (3rd ed.), Environment Australia, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-642-54721-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-642-54721-7)

- Hydrographic Department, Ministry of Defence (MOD) (1983). *Gulf of St Vincent and approaches (chart no. 1762)*. (reproduced by the Royal Australian Navy Hydrographic Service).

- Wiebkin, Annelise (2011), [*Conservation management priorities for little penguin populations in Gulf St Vincent. Report to Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management BoardSARDI Publication No. F2011/000188-1. SARDI Research Report Series No.588*](http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/66860d1b-7136-48ab-b71f-a27a00e37187/penguin-2011-rep.pdf) (PDF), South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences)

v t e Kangaroo Island Major townships American River Kingscote Parndana Penneshaw Beaches American Beach Baudin Beach Brown Beach D'Estrees Bay Emu Bay Island Beach Nepean Bay Vivonne Bay Coastal features Western end of island Cape Borda Cape du Couedic Cape Gantheaume D'Estrees Bay Fides Bluff Maupertuis Bay Nepean Bay Pelican Lagoon Point Marsden Ravine des Casoars Stokes Bay Vivonne Bay Dudley Peninsula Cape St Albans Cape Willoughby Kangaroo Head Moncrieff Bay Pink Bay Protected areas National parks Flinders Chase Conservation parks Baudin Beatrice Islet Beyeria Busby Islet Cape Gantheaume Cape Willoughby Cygnet Estuary Dudley Kelly Hill Lashmar Lathami Lesueur Mount Taylor Nepean Bay Parndana Pelican Lagoon Seal Bay Seddon Simpson Vivonne Bay Marine parks Encounter Western Kangaroo Island Southern Kangaroo Island Wilderness Protection Areas Cape Bouguer Cape Gantheaume Cape Torrens Ravine des Casoars Western River Islands adjacent to Kangaroo Island coast Beatrice Islets Busby Islet Casuarina Islets Douglas Rock Nobby Islet Paisley Islet Pelican Lagoon Islets Pelorus Islet Related and uncategorised 2007 Kangaroo Island bushfires County of Carnarvon Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island Hundred of Dudley Kangaroo Island Council Kangaroo Island wine region Kingscote Airport Middle River Reservoir Category Commons

v t e Islands of South Australia West coast of Eyre Peninsula Generally Avoid Bay Islands Black Rocks Sudden Jerk Baird Bay Jones Unnamed Cap Eba Germein Greenly Liguanea Neptune Islands Nicolas Baudin Nuyts Reef Olive Pigface Price Purdie Rocky Island (north) Rocky Island (south) Sinclair Curta Rocks Whidbey Isles Four Hummocks Perforated Price Island Golden Williams Investigator Group Flinders Pearson Isles Pearson Dorothee Veteran Isles Topgallant Waldegrave Islands Ward Islands Nuyts Archipelago Blefescu Breakwater Evans Eyre Franklin Gliddon Reef Goat Isles of St Francis Dog Egg Fenelon Freeling Hart Masillon Smooth St Francis West Lacy Lounds Lilliput Purdie Islands St Peter Spencer Gulf Generally Bicker Isles Bird Boston Curlew Entrance Gambier Islands Wedge Grantham Goose Green Lipson Louth Rabbit Shag Tumby Wardang Weeroona Jussieu Peninsula coastline Carcase Rock Donington Grindall Hopkins Lewis Little Owen Smith Taylor Thistle Sir Joseph Banks Group Blyth Boucaut Dalby Dangerous Reef Duffield English Hareby Kirkby Langton Lusby Marum Partney Reevesby Roxby Seal Rock Sibsey Spilsby Stickney Winceby Pondalowie Bay Royston Middle South Investigator Strait Althorpe Islands Althorpe Haystack Seal Chinamans Hat Kangaroo Island Main article Kangaroo Island Nepean Bay Beatrice Islets Busby Islet Pelican Lagoon Islets West and south coasts Casuarina Islets Douglas Rock Lipson Reef Nobby Islet North Rock Paisley Islet Pelorus Islet South West Rock Unnamed island (Hanson Bay) Young Rock Gulf St Vincent Garden Torrens Troubridge Backstairs Passage The Pages Encounter Bay and adjoining waters Granite Pullen Seal West Wright South east coast Baudin Rocks Penguin Mainland Artificial islands Delfin Murray River List of Murray River islands Hindmarsh Pomanda Category Commons

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Busby Islet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busby_Islet) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busby_Islet?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.