Mile 147 - Oregon Dunes NRA, North Spit Umpqua River, Winchester Bay - June 28, 2012

Report Details

A huge encampment was within a short walk of the road. A dozen or so cars at the entrance to the beach and, as before, toilet paper and other garbage lined the roadside. About a half dozen people were on the beach near the road end and a half dozen more down by the jetty, but none in between. It was windy and cool, a little splattered rain, and the beach was cleaner than I've ever seen it. Very little driftwood visible, even.

Conditions

Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 1.2 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 12. Number of dogs: 5. Walking or running: 2. Playing in sand: 4. One group arrived at the jetty while I was there. About 3 dogs and half dozen people. They drove right to the jetty, where a group of about 100 pelicans sat, squabbling with about 100 gulls. The birds flew up into the air, circled around and came back close to where they started. The people all got out and climbed on the rocks on the jetty.

Concerns

Litter

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 10. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 2. ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 1.

Notable Wildlife

At least 100 pelicans and an equal number of gulls sat on the sand and in the shallow water right next to the jetty. I've never seen that many pelicans in one place in Oregon, especially in water too shallow to dive into.

Actions & Comments

No problems, no action.