More dead birds found near Kingston; earlier deaths still a mystery

Published 10:23 am Wednesday, October 31, 2007

KINGSTON, Wash. — For the second time in 10 days, dozens of dead birds have been found in the waters off the northern Kitsap Peninsula.

Capt. Timothy W. Koivu, skipper of the ferry Spokane, said he saw 50 to 100 birds floating upside down Tuesday morning within a mile of the state ferry terminal at Kingston.

State fish and wildlife officials have been investigating the discovery of more than 200 dead birds Oct. 20 on the beach near Indianola, southwest of Kingston. A state biologist also has been given some of the birds found Tuesday.

Each time most of the birds apparently were common murres and there was commercial fishing in the area, but officials have said they can’t specifically tie the bird kills to fishing.

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Information from: Kitsap Sun, www.kitsapsun.com