PORT TOWNSEND — The first of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s fall bird migration cruises will be Saturday.
The three-hour tours around Protection Island and Rat Island are from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. aboard Puget Sound Express’ Glacier Spirit, an enclosed motor yacht that leaves from Point Hudson Marina.
Tours also are scheduled Oct. 13, Nov. 24 and Dec. 31.
Protection Island, which is at the mouth of Discovery Bay, is a National Wildlife Refuge.
Taking advantage
Many birds take advantage of its habitat and abundant feeding opportunities to recover from nesting in the Arctic or on inland lakes and rivers.
“We see lots of birds,” said Johanna King, one of the naturalists and cruise hosts for the marine science center.
“Every cruise brings a surprise or two,” she said, adding that birds that may be seen include pigeon guillemots and common murres, and sometimes ancient and marbled murrelets.
Tickets are $55 per person or $50 for members of the marine science center, Burke Museum, Audubon Society or Washington Ornithological Society.
Onboard refreshments are available.
For reservations, phone the marine science center at 360-385-5582, ext. 104, or 800-566-3932, or email cruises@ptmsc.org for additional information.
Two showcases
The marine science center, located on the beach at Fort Worden State Park, has two public exhibits: the aquarium building with touch pools and aquaria, and the natural history building that showcases a new exhibit, “Learning from Orcas: The Story of Hope.”
Both exhibits are open from noon to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for youths and free for marine science center members.
For more information, phone the center, email info@ptmsc.org or visit www.ptmsc.org.