Mile 118 Report
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
July 14, 2016
Thirty-seven people were observing wildlife at Simpson Reef.
Report Details
Thirty-seven people were observing wildlife at Simpson Reef. Another 8 were hiking the trail. Shell Island and Simpson Reef had molting Northern elephant seals, good numbers of Stellar sea lions and harbor seals, and few California sea lions. Birds included 1 Bald eagle, Pacific loons, Pigeon guillemots, Black oystercatchers, and loons. Did not see any sea stars in the tidepools. A portion of forest was thinned between the trail and road. It needed it. A tree and its rootwad slid down the cliff. The two bog lily restoration sites are now so overgrown you wouldn't recognize them if you didn't know they were there. Area was pretty clean of trash.
Conditions
Temperature: 63 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Strong. Wind Direction: NW.
Human Activities
Number of people: 45. Walking or running: 8. Other Activities: Wildlife viewing: 37. Most were watching pinnipeds at Simpson Reef.
Concerns
Apparent violations: None.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 15.
Notable Wildlife
Northern Elephant Seal-4 males molting, 1 yearling and 1 immature California Sea Lion-maybe a dozen (most at breeding grounds) Stellar Sea Lions-good numbers Harbor Seals-good numbers Birds:Pacific Loons, pigeon gullimonts, cormorants, turkey vultures, 1 bald eagle, gulls, crows black oyster catchers
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
What I did not see were sea stars.They are suppose to be recovering, but no sign of it here.
Driftline Content
Wood pieces, Styrofoam. 1 crab pot float, a couple of pieces of plastic
Man-made Modifications
A portion of forest between the bluff top trail and road has been thinned. It needed it.
Natural Changes
1 tree and its rootwad slid down the bluff.
D Bone
CoastWatcher
All Mile 118 Reports
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Shore Acres State Park is a lovely place, with beautiful vistas and hiking trails, hundreds of marine mammals visible at Simpson Reef Overlook, and a wonderful botanical garden.
GasiorowskiM
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Thirty-seven people were observing wildlife at Simpson Reef.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Wildlife was a major feature of this trip, as usual.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
I saw a total of 5 people.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Human Activities; 2 people walking their dogs and picking up trash, 2 people fishing, and 2 people watching wildlife.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
The little available beach on this mile is still closed for Harbor Seal birthing.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Not much happening.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
A lady sketching seals and sea lions from the Simpson's Reef Viewing Area pointed out an Elephant Seal with two pups.
Pat&RobertaSmit