View in browser

Above the waterline, it has been a month of new arrivals and unexpected visitors. Red Tailed Tropicbird chick 'Alba’ (pictured above) is thriving and celebrating a one-month birthday, and a brand new chick was discovered a few nights ago between the Beachfront units, who was named ‘Sir David Attenbro' in honour of Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday.

The Leaf to Reef team have been documenting tropicbird behaviour and monitoring the turtles that graze in the waters around the island in recent months. You can read more about their field research on our new blog.

The birdlife has been wonderfully varied this month, with Peewees visiting from the mainland, a Grey Goshawk (a species more at home in Eastern Australian rainforests) making a surprise appearance, and Sacred Kingfishers adding a splash of colour to the cay.

Below the waterline, Manta Rays have been seen swimming, feeding and cleaning throughout the month, and eagle ray sightings have been a real highlight. Five Ornate Eagle Ray sightings across four different individuals have been recorded since 17th April, with White Spotted Eagle Rays putting on a stunning courtship display. A small Eye Ray has been patrolling the reef with a Cobia and Pink Whip Ray in tow, and a pod of Spinner Dolphins delighted guests and island team members.

Photo credit: Tracy Olive our long-time revegetation volunteer captured this photo of "Alba" the Red-Tailed Tropicbird chick that hatched on April 24 2026.

While Volunteer Week has passed we're still taking a moment to celebrate the amazing volunteers who have given their time and energy to Lady Elliot Island!

Since mining in the 1800's left its mark on the island, volunteers have played a vital role in bringing it back to life. 

Together with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation's 'Reef Islands Initiative' and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, we launched our first structured volunteer program in 2020, and the impact has been extraordinary.

To date, over 680 volunteers have helped restore the island, with around 100 lending a hand in the past year alone. Their dedication and passion for this special place means the world to us, and the island is all the better for it!

Some of those are pictured above: Jo and Kev Stevenson, Meryl Peterson and Tracy Olive who were recently on the island weeding, preparing for planting and potting in the nursery. 

Find out more about the Island's Revegetation Program or get involved here. 

 
Photo credit: Tracy Olive 

The Most Comprehensive Field Guide of Lady Elliot Island Released

We were thrilled to attend the official launch of A Field Guide to the Vertebrates of Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef on the Gold Coast. More than six years in the making, this stunning full colour guide documents 800 vertebrate species, from birds and reptiles to sharks, rays and fishes, and even includes species new to science.

Developed by the Leaf to Reef team in partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation's Reef Islands Initiative, the island team and countless citizen scientists, this guide is a living snapshot of the extraordinary biodiversity that calls Lady Elliot Island home. We could not be more proud to see this remarkable work come to life.

Whether you are a first time visitor or a returning guest, it is the perfect companion for exploring the island. Learn more about Leaf to Reef and get your copy here.