As of 2000, that area was known to host two to three percent of Washington's
Harlequin Duck population during molting, with an average of 78 individuals. It
is within an Important Bird Area of statewide significance, which at the time
also hosted an average of 13,500 wintering waterfowl, including 200 wintering
brant, and 13 active Bald Eagle nests (one of the highest densities and
reproductive rates in the state), and a small colony of Purple Martins. Also,
six species of owls are said to have been detected there over the years.

I submitted the final data for the 3,240 hectare Indian-Marrowstone Island/Oak
Bay IBA, which Ron Sikes of Port Townsend/Admiralty Audubon intitially began
researching. I turned all of my files over and do not recall specifics, but I
probably obtained/verified the information for the Harlequin Ducks from one of
three folks at WDFW. Tweeters should note that access to Indian Island, a
naval base, is restricted.

More than 50 sites have been designated as IBAs in WA and another 50 are being
researched. IBAs are scientifically significant sites and may or may not be
accessible to the public. "The primary goal of the IBA program in Washington
is to identify and describe specific places on the landscape that are essential
for sustaining wild bird populations in our state. The aim is provide
landowners and managers, planners, developers, regulators, conservationists,
and other interested parties with reliable information on where the birds are,
in order to support sound land use and management decisions." "The objective
is to foster sound stewardship of vital bird habitats in Washington and
guarantee that the ornithological values of these sites will continue in the
future." (From the book, Important Bird Areas of Washington, compiled by Tim
Cullinan, Audubon Washington, 2001; available in most public libraries).

Lisa M. Godina
Lacey, WA
mailto: <LMGodina at reachone.com>