Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge

Directions: Located at the mouth of Discovery Bay in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The island is closed to the public to protect nesting seabirds and harbor seals.

Primary Wildlife: Seventy-two percent of the seabirds in Puget Sound nest on Protection Island. Estimated 17,000 pairs of rhinoceros auklets nesting. Also nesting by glaucous winged gulls, pelagic cormorants, tufted puffins, pigeon guillemots, double-crested cormorants, and black oystercatchers. Pupping and hauling out area for harbor seals. Bald eagles' nest.

Habitat: A 364-acre island covered with grass and low brush, small timbered area; has high sandy bluffs for seabird nesting, and low sandspits on two ends of the island.

Recreation and Education: Visitors may view the island from their boats, but the island itself is closed to public access. Visitors should stay at least 200 yards offshore to avoid flushing adult birds off their nests.

Special Note: The 48-acre Zella M. Schulk Seabird Sanctuary (on the west end on the island) is managed by the Washington State Department of Wildlife.

c/o Nisqually NWR Complex
100 Brown Farm Road
Olympia, WA 98506
(206) 753-9467