Report Details

Massive amounts of Jellyfish on the beach in the southern portion of Mile 172. Also many fresh large piles of Bull Kelp. People reported hundreds of Sea Stars washed up yesterday. Observed one stranded Western Grebe on beach that was slowly working its way back towards the ocean.

Conditions

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: E. Tide Level: 1.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 28. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 24. Photography: 2. Other Activities: bicycling - 2. Walking people generally confined to upper, dry part of beach in southern portion of mile 172 due to a dense mat of beached jellyfish.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 19.

Notable Wildlife

Large amount of jellyfish on southern portion of beach. Several recently deposited large mounds of Bull Kelp. Noted one stranded Western Grebe on the beach that was slowly working its way toward the water (See Photo).People we talked to that were on the beach yesterday (11-01-2010) reported hundreds of stranded sea stars near the Driftwood Shores Resort (see photo of deteriorated Sea Star - presumable Red Ochre Sea Star)

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Large accumulation of Jellyfish in southern portion of mile 172. Their presence diminished substantially as we walked north.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Wood pieces.

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All Mile 172 Reports

Showing 8 of 53 reports

Mile 172

January 5, 2024

Another glorious sunny winter day at Heceta Beach! The recent high tides have washed away most of the summer dunes that accumulate on the high beach in front of the vegetation zone. Just another day in paradise!

Dick Mason

Mile 172

January 4, 2024

Lots of wood debris stacked up on the beach from past high tide and storms.

Lyndell Wilken

Mile 172

October 18, 2023

Louie the Lab and I chased his Chuck-It ball from Driftwood Shores north to Sutton Creek and back today.

oldMGguy

Mile 172

May 11, 2023

Nice sunny day for flinging the "Chuck-It" ball into the surf for the dog.

oldMGguy

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 172

February 11, 2022

There were two dead sea lions in a 1 mile stretch between Driftwood Shores and the north jetty.

Lyndell

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 172

February 6, 2022

A 60-degree weather report brought out lots of people on the beach.

MooreC

Mile 172

December 6, 2018

Jelleyfish for a quarter mile.

Lyndell

Mile 172

May 19, 2018

Took the missus out for a trial walk with her new walking sticks, initially heading north into the wind from Driftwood Shores Resort up to Sutton Creek and return with a nice tailwind.

oldMGguy