Mile 109 - Whisky Run, Fivemile Pt, south end Merchants Beach - July 22, 2009

Report Details

Extreme low tide made it obvious that at least two major ridge & runnel systems are building up just offshore, north of Fivemile Point. Along with the offshore rocks, these clearly reduce the force of waves on the shoreline. Shells, kelp/algae and small rocks in driftline. Empty worm casings gathered in tidepools. One dead decomposing sea lion. Birds included cormorants, Turkey Vultures, Osprey, Semipalmated Plovers, Great Blue Heron, swallows, gulls and Black Oystercatcher. Moderate human impact (13) with 6 clamming. 4 dogs. One vehicle on allowed beach.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: -2.1 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 13. Number of dogs: 4. Other Activities: 6 clamming. 1 VW camper here overnight in the parking lot, probably perfectly legal.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 5. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 1.

Notable Wildlife

Birds: Cormorants on offshore rocks, Turkey Vultures, Osprey, flocks of Semipalmated Plovers, GB Heron, swallows, the normal gulls, heard but did not see Oystercatcher.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. Very old sea lion skeleton at south end of Merchant Beach, about 43 13.279, 124 23.780 (see photo), being finished off by vultures.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Large number of empty worm casings floating in some tidepools.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Small rocks.

Actions & Comments

Due to the extreme low tide, at Fivemile Point it was almost possible to walk all the way out to the large flattop rock.