Betsey Island

Betsey Island, along with the adjacent Little Betsey Island and Betsey Reef, forms a nature reserve with an area of 176 ha in south-eastern Australia. They are part of the Betsey Island Group, lying close to the south-eastern coast of Tasmania around the entrance to the Derwent River. With an estimated 15,000 pairs breeding there, it is an important site for Little Penguins.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]

Flora and fauna

The northern part of the island is dominated by Tasmanian Blue Gum forest, with the southern part mainly sedgeland. There is succulent saltmarsh on the west. Problem weeds are Cape Leeuwin Wattle and Boxthorn.

Apart from the penguins, recorded breeding seabird species are Short-tailed Shearwater, Kelp Gull and Black-faced Cormorant. White-bellied Sea-Eagles have nested there. European Rabbits have been present on the island since 1825. Reptiles present include the She-oak Skink and White's Skink.

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