Butcher Gap Conservation Park is a
protected area located in the
Limestone Coast
The Limestone Coast is a name used since the early twenty-first century for a South Australian government region located in the south east of South Australia which immediately adjoins the continental coastline and the Victorian border. The ...
of
South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
overlooking
Lacepede Bay
Lacepede Bay (french: Baie Lacépède) is a bay in the Australian state of South Australia located on the state's south-east coast about northwest of Mount Gambier and about southeast of Adelaide. It was named in 1802 by the Baudin expedit ...
about south of the town of
Kingston SE
Kingston SE (Kingston South East to distinguish it from Kingston-on-Murray) formerly Kingston is a town in the Australian state of South Australia located in the state's south-east coastline on the shores of Lacepede Bay. It is located about ...
. The conservation park was proclaimed under the ''
National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972
Protected areas of South Australia consists of protected areas located within South Australia and its immediate onshore waters and which are managed by South Australian Government agencies. As of March 2018, South Australia contains 359 sepa ...
'' in 1990.
The following statements from the conservation park's management plan summarises its conservation significance:
The park comprises the foredune and associated swale system surrounding a wetland area (including Salt lake and Butchers lake), bisected by the Butcher Gap Drain… The wetland supports an association of dense South Australian swamp paperbark (''Melaleuca halmaturorum'') over marine meadow, while the remainder of the Park is a coastal scrub association. A lease of the area of Butcher Gap drain that bisects the Park has been negotiated with the South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board. The park is an important seasonal habitat for migratory bird species. The wetlands support a variety of waterfowl, including some migratory waders, however, its value to these species is not well understood… The park is recognised as suitable habitat for the endangered orange-bellied parrot
The orange-bellied parrot (''Neophema chrysogaster'') is a small parrot endemic to southern Australia, and one of only three species of parrot that migrate. It was described by John Latham in 1790. A small parrot around long, it exhibits sex ...
(''Neophema chrysogaster''), which has been observed feeding on two-horned searocket (''Cakile maritima'') near the beach and in the extensive samphire habitat around Salt Lake.
The conservation park is classified as an
IUCN Category III protected area.
[
]
References
External links
Butcher Gap Conservation Park official webpageButcher Gap Conservation Park webpage on protected planetFriends of Butchers Gap webpage
{{DEFAULTSORT:Butcher Gap Conservation Park
Conservation parks of South Australia
Protected areas established in 1990
1990 establishments in Australia