MILE 173 on 5/8/12

Cars/Trucks parking: 0 • ATVs/OHVs parking: 0 • RVs/Buses parking: 0 • Cars/Trucks on beach, allowed: 0 • ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 0 • Cars/Trucks on beach, prohibited: 0 • ATVs/OHVs on beach, prohibited: 0

ACTIV.COMMENTS

NOTABLE WILDLIFE

various, in flight

DEAD BIRDS

STRANDED

FISH & INVERTS

Crab shells--females thrown back by crabbers?

DRIFTLINE

Shells • Animal casings • Small rocks • Wood pieces • Land-based debris • Ocean-based debris • Styrofoam
Japanese tsunami debris

NEW DEVELOPMENT

MODIFICATIONS

NATURAL CHANGES

COMMENTS

SUMMARY

I was able to cross the creek and check out the part of miles 173-174 North of Sutton Creek for the first time this year. Because the beach is fairly inaccessible (unless you come in from the North on horseback) it is usually pristine and free of any human garbage. I found quite a bit of trash this time though, some of which appears to be Japanese tsunami debris. Items included three different types of foam floats (no markings, but typical Japanese), water bottles of an unusual shape, very large beer bottles (thin brown glass, 50+ oz.) and many liquor bottles with Japanese characters stamped into the glass. I also found several very large incandescent light bulbs, and a large animal skull—perhaps a horse. These are all high-windage items, so it makes sense that they might be among the first bits of tsunami debris to wash up on this mile. I did not have my camera with me on this hike, but I brought back several small floats and one of the bottles with Japanese characters stamped on the bottom. Tsunami debris has been reported to NOAA. Snowy plover nesting area has been marked and cordoned off. It appears to be undisturbed and is above the debris field.

OBSERVER

cheshire EMAIL • REPORT PUBLISHED 5/9/12 1:54 PM • EDITED 5/17/12 5:39 PM

PHOTOS

Japanese Saki Bottle
Description:	One of many pop, beer and liquor bottles on the beach with Japanese stamps or labels.
Date:	05/08/2012

Japanese Floats/Bottle
Date:	05/08/2012

PRINTER-FRIENDLY