| Flattery Rocks National Wildlife Refuge is the home to 150,000 pelagic birds who nest annually on these islands, including Leach's storm petrel, fork-tailed storm petrel, rhinoceros auklet, tufted puffin, common murre, glaucous-winged gull, western gull, Brandt's cormorant, pelagic cormorant, Cassin's auklet, black oystercatcher, pigeon guillemot, and double-crested cormorant. Migrating birds sometimes swell the population to over one million. As many as 500 sea lions haul out on these islands. Bald eagles and peregrine falcons roost here in winter. There are 870 coastal rocks and reefs. Many are rocky outcroppings exposed at low tide, while others are high pinnacles of rock with salal, salmonberry, and a few stunted conifers. Interpretive panels at Rialto Beach, Second Beach, Ruby Beach, and Kalalock give information about the islands. Olympic National Park provides access to 50 miles of beaches with views of the islands. Washington Islands are included in three national wildlife refuges: Flattery Rocks, Quillayute Needles, and Copalis. All islands, except Destruction Island, are included in Washington Islands Wilderness Area. |
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