Mile 131 - Horsfall Beach, Oregon Dunes NRA - March 31, 2010

Report Details

Uneventful. No significant changes.

Conditions

Temperature: 48 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 1.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 2. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 1. Other Activities: driving.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 1. RVs/Buses parking: 1. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 2.

Notable Wildlife

One Western Gull close to water on sand, did not fly

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. The beach caretaker asked me if I'd see the sea lion? Someone had told him earlier in the day that there was a sea lion on the beach about 1/4 mile south. I hiked back that way but no sign of it and darkness was approaching.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. boat battery box, now in trash bin

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune.

Actions & Comments

Many logs up and down the beach. One driftwood shelter.18" sand bench parallel to dunes, running south from Horsfall. No evidence of this to the north.More than the normal amount of debris, carried what I could to the Horsfall dumpster. Several vehicle tracks going south. Ok since beach is open to vehicles until May.