Mile 123 - Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay - October 30, 2009

Report Details

Bastendorff Beach continues to have its dunes/foredunes deteriorated by vehicular traffic. This has now produced roads in the dunes, and onto the beach that will probably be permanent unless traffic is stopped. Robin Sears, South Coast Beach Ranger was notified about an SUV, with teens and dogs on the beach. Action was taken on this violation quite promptly by law enforcement. Three dead California Sea Lions were reported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline, and photos will be sent to them. The most deteriorated animal, that was located at the area of highest traffic, had been beheaded. All three animals were stranded at the high water line. Two dead birds, a Western Grebe and a Storm Petrel, were photoed and documented for COASST. They were also at the high tide line. Razor Clam shells and kelp in driftline. Heavy human impact (32)- 20 walking, 6 playing surf, 2 surfing and 4 sitting. Five dogs.

Conditions

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W.

Human Activities

Number of people: 32. Number of dogs: 5. Walking or running: 20. Playing in surf: 6. Sitting: 4. Surfing: 2. Other Activities: standing around vehicle. SUV on beach with group of teens and dogs. Called Robin Sears cell phone and left message. Shortly thereafter law enforcement truck arrived and addressed the problem; I don't know if ticketed. Lots of recent vehicle tracks, and continued destruction of foredune.

Concerns

Fire, Litter

Apparent violations: SUV on beach,.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 7. Cars/trucks on beach, prohibited: 1.

Notable Wildlife

Seagulls, crows and an occasional cormorant were the only birds. Many seagulls clustered, as usual at the mouth of the creek.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 2. Western Grebe and Storm Petrel. Both birds documented, and banded for COASST by Jerry Chadwick.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 3. California Sealions, one beheaded and quite decomposed. All three animals at high tide line, one partially covered by sand. This was reported to the Marine Mammal Hotline Stranding, and photos to be sent to them

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells. razor clam shells 3-4 inches in area nearest jetty, small amount of bull kelp, and piles of eel grass

Man-made Modifications

Dune modification/removal. Seemingly incessant erosion of dunes by vehicles is creating roads in the dunes

Actions & Comments

Yes, Robin Sears and Marine Mammal Stranding notified.