Five harbor seals died just a strait away from San Juan County at Fort Flagler State Park on Marrowstone Island located southeast of Port Townsend. The four adults and one pup tested positive for the Avian flu H5N1, and following an outbreak around Marowstone and nearby Rat Island killing 1,700 birds. While the news is concerning, occurring so close to San Juan County, San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network Coordinator Jessica Farrer urges caution and not panic.
Ever since the first time I saw Protection Island across the water from Sequim in the late 1990s, I’ve wondered about it. My aunt, an Audubon member, told me the largest colony of Rhinoceros Auklets in the state was on the closed-to-the-public island and described their nesting habits. I’ve been fascinated ever since.
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A July 5th fire on Protection Island was spotted by residents on the mainland who contacted 911 as well as Marty Bluewater, the island’s last human resident. He said that 911 was “inundated” with calls.