Mile 123 - Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay - September 24, 2010

Report Details

Beautiful day, with many folks (about 25 on beach at any given time), going and coming and enjoying the beach. Dogs were mostly leashed and well behaved. Vehicle numbers changed at each entry point, but there were about 10 all together most of the time. There were 2 stranded CSLs one dying, one dead, which I reported to Marine Mammal Stranding Network. There were also surprisingly heavy concentrations of bull kelp and other algae, as well as thick creamy greenish foam all along the driftline. One dead Common Murre, was documented for COASST by Jerry Chadwick. Live birds included 1 Brown Pelican, many(50-70) gulls, crows and a couple of cormorants. A few Jellies.

Conditions

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 7.3 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 25. Number of dogs: 12. Walking or running: 17. Playing in sand: 3. Sitting: 5. Other Activities: picnicing. Lots of people coming and going; approximately 25 at any give time, so figures are all averages. Dogs mostly leashed, and people were enjoying a lovely day.

Concerns

Apparent violations: vehicle tracks on beach/.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 10. RVs/Buses parking: 3.

Notable Wildlife

Very heavy concentrations of bull kelp, feather boas, sea palms. Eel grass in areas closer to the jetty. 1 Brown Pelican, several cormorants (double crested/), gulls and crows. In creek area many gulls (50 plus) bathing, resting, and floating about. Erosion of creek banks due to very high tide. Newly washed up logs and branches.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. Common Murre. Also unidentifiable remains of birds entangled in eel grass and algae.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 2. 1 dead CSL on strip of sand near jetty. Another CSL dying in a large pool near jetty. This animal appeared injured; its body was quite deformed. Both animals reported to Jim Rice, Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

A scattering of moon jellies

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Styrofoam. Thick cream colored foam along the entire driftline, Bits and pieces of plastic embedded in the numerous tangles of algae.

Man-made Modifications

Dune modification/removal. trucks still driving on the foredune, and breaking it down

Natural Changes

Sand continuing to settle near jetty. Creek widened and deepened from high water and runoff.

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