Mile 143 Report

October 7, 2021
by mruggiero

Location:

Douglas

South Umpqua Lighthouse SP

Conditions:

Thursday 10:45 AM

Sunny

Wind:

Moderate

Tide Level:

4.0 ft

Humans / Pets:

People:

Dogs:

Activities:

Walking / Running:

Playing in surf:

birdwatching 5

Concerns:

Apparent Violations:

1 off leash dog chased gulls, later was walking down beach with owner and group was pushing a flock of sanderlings in front of them.

Disturbances:

Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles:

Cars/Trucks on beach, allowed:

ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed:

Cars/Trucks on beach, prohibited:

ATVs/OHVs on beach, prohibited:

Activity Comments:

1 off leash dog chased gulls, later was walking down beach with owner and group was pushing a flock of sanderlings in front of them. I see off leash dogs on this beach almost every time I visit. The parking area (#3) for this mile currently lacks specific signage indicating that dogs are supposed to be on leash and could use the addition of this signage as the leash rule is buried in the fine print on the current signage. This mile does not have a parking area within it, parking is in mile 144 so vehicles in the parking area were not reported here.

Notable Wildlife:

Snowy plovers at northern edge of the mile (some color banded, some not).

Dead Birds:

Total:

Signs of oil:

Entanglement:

Species/names:

Mile surveyed concurrently with COASST survey so all dead birds reported to COASST. Mostly common murres and a possible petrel. Number of birds within normal for this beach and time of year.

Stranded:

Total:

Fish & Invertebrates:

Driftline:

Kelp or Algae·Shells·Animal casings (e.g. crab, shrimp molt)·Wood pieces

New Development:

Modifications:

Natural Changes:

Comments:

Summary:

10 people on beach, including 5 birdwatchers, 2 dogs (one of which was off leash), people walking with off leash dog allowed dog to chase gulls and were pushing a flock of sandlerings down the beach in front of them. 8 dead birds (reported to COASST) mostly common murres as expected here. Snowy Plovers at the north end of the mile.

Other Mile 143 Reports (12)

2021

December 9, 2021 - kmwifish

The only time we saw other people was at the entrance to the beach, by the tsunami number sign. It was a blissfully deserted beach day. I picked up the usual large bag of trash and dragged a couple...

November 11, 2021 - kmwifish

The day was uneventful, the garbage not as plentiful as other times. I picked up one big plastic bag of trash.

July 30, 2021 - kmwifish

We arrived at Wincheser Bay smack dab in the middle of Dune Fest. The campgrounds were full and the number of people and vehicles of all kinds, including what seemed like a dune buggy for every...

February 3, 2021 - kmwifish

There was much more plastic trash this time, than when we went in October. There was a more defined bluff along part of the beach, indicating sand had been piled up. There was a lot of driftwood...

2020

October 23, 2020 - kmwifish

The beach was mostly deserted and there were few birds. We saw one seal peeking over the whitecaps at us.

January 26, 2020 - kmwifish

The biggest thing I found was the water heater tank. There were only 3 seagulls and a small flock of sandpipers Quite windy, lovely to have the beach to myself (I walk farther than my mile).

2019

October 28, 2019 - kmwifish

We saw 5 other humans (2 when we started walking south and 3 when we returned) and one dog, besides we two and our dog. They were all walking on the beach, but none went very far (it was a chilly,...

2013

October 21, 2013 - AnnMissy

The beach was deserted except for us. It was somewhat foggy and windy so not the best day for a stroll on the beach. Did see 3 birds that were dead and washed up on shore...picture below. Picked up...

January 20, 2013 - AnnMissy

Beach looked good other than some bluffing from the higher water. Not too much garbage to collect. Had an enjoyable walk with our daughter, son-in-law, grandsons and two dogs. One grandson found...

2012

October 14, 2012 - AnnMissy

The mile was very quiet with no notable changes. The day was cloudy and windy so not a very nice day to be on the beach. There was lots and lots of kelp in several locations along the mile. We, and...

March 26, 2012 - AnnMissy

Mile 143 is pretty non-exciting. Just basic sand movement and usual shells, drift wood, bird etc. We saw no dead wildlife or physical changes. Were several plastic bottle that we picked up along with...

2007

September 8, 2007 - twright

Less than the normal invertebrates. One wood box on beach 2' x 2' x 4'