Tweeters
The Port Townsend Marine Science Center operated a Protection Island Cruise
on Saturday evening, July 18th and sighted the following species:


Double Crested cormorants, contine to roost on their self-constructed
nests on the ridge line on the island

Pelagic Cormprants

Harlequin duck at Rat Island

Black Oystercatcher at Protection Island

Western sandpiper - Rat Island

Heermans Gull - everywhere in great numbers

Mew Gull at Protection Island

Glaucous winged Gull - everywhere

Commonn Murre - on Protection Island

Pigeon Guillemont - everywhere

Rhinocerous auklet - everywhere, Protection Island, Point wilson, Kilisut Harbor

Tufted Puffins - at Protection Island, in the water & on the wing

Bald Eagles - an large count of 12 on Protection Island

Northwestern crow - Rat Island

Starling - Rat Island

Harbor Seal - Hundreds upon hundreds hauled out on the spits at Protection
Island with many pups among the crowd.

Elephant Seal - on the beach at Protection Island

The remaining Protection Island Sunset cruises scheduled for the public are:

Saturdays:
July 25th
August 1st, 15th, 22nd & 29th
Sept. 5th

The trips leave at 6:30 pm from Point Hudson Marina in Downtown Port
Townsend aboard a 65' motor yacht and cruise past Point Wilson to
circumnavigate Protection Island and return at 9:30pm via a deviation into
Kiulisut Harbor to observe species on Indian Island and Rat Island. An
onboard naturalist (who has been with us on these trips since 1994)
provides excellent commentary on birds, geology & natural history. Food is
available onboard as well. Tickets are $35 each or $30 for PTMSC, Audubon
or WOS members. Children and group prices are also available.

Reservations & info at 360-385-5582
or
ptmsc at olympus.net

Regards
Peter B.
PTMSC