Protection Island/Smith Island Sightings
Saturday, October26th

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center's Protection Island birding cruise
of Saturday, October 26th included a run up to the Smith Island National
Wildlife Refuge, resulting in numerous Harbor Porpoise sightings at
Partridge Point on our return leg.

Loons and grebes were in abundance all day and the trip's highlights
included Bufflehead at Protection Island, a pair of Marbled Murrelets at
Smith Island and a pair of Ancient Murrelets at Protection Island.

Key: P-Protection Island, PtH- Point Hudson, PtW-Point Wilson, PP-Partridge
Point, S- Smith Island

Common loon - all locations
Pacific Loon - P
Red throated Loon - P
Western Grebe - PtW
Red Necked grebe - P
Horned grebe - P
Double crested cormorant - P
Pelagic cormorant - all
Brandt's Cormorant - all
Great Blue Heron - P, PtW
White Winged Scoter - all
Surf Scoter - all
Harlequin Duck - P, S
Bufflehead - P
Long Tailed Duck - P, S
Heerman's Gull - all
Bonaparte Gull - P
Mew Gull - all
Glaucous Winged Gull - all
Common murre - all
Pigeon guillemot - all
Marbled Murrelet - S
Ancient Murrelet - P
Rhinoceros auklet -PtW
Bald eagle - P, S
Northwestern Crow - P
Starling - P

Mammals:
Harbor seals - 100's on Protection Island, 100's on Smith Island
Harbor Porpoise - PP
Deer - P

As part of our educational program for all ages, the Port Townsend Marine
Science Center's remaining boat expeditions this fall to Protection Island,
the National Wildlife Refuge at the mouth of Discovery Bay are scheduled
from 1 PM till 4 PM on Saturdays: November 2 & 30 (Thanksgiving weekend)
and Tuesday, New Year's Eve, Dec. 31st. The PTMSC offers these trips to
enable citizens to gain a better understanding of the marine ecosystems and
natural science interrelationships which abound in these waters. The
three-hour cruises depart from Point Hudson Marina in downtown Port
Townsend. Naturalists from the Marine Science Center, familiar with the
island, the local bird population and marine mammals are on-board
interpreters and provide commentary on local birds, mammals, geology and
weather. Tickets are $45 per person or $40 for members of the Marine
Science Center, Audubon or the Washington Ornithological Society. All trips
include an additional stop at Kilisut Harbor/Mystery Bay area (between
Marrowstone & Indian Islands) or Smith Island. On-Board refreshments are
available. Call the MSC at 360-385-5582 or 1 (800) 566-3962 or email
cruises at ptmsc.org to reserve a spot and for additional information. Rates
for children & groups are available.

The PTMSC, a non-profit educational organization based in Port Townsend
since 1982 is dedicated to marine science and natural history education,
interpretation and preservation and has been providing these trips since
1994. All ticket revenue benefits the Marine Science Center's education
programs.

Regards,
Peter Badame


Port Townsend Marine Science Center
532 Battery Way
Fort Worden State Park
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-385-5582 ext:105
360-385-7248 fax
www.ptmsc.org