Mile 179 Report
Heceta Head Lighthouse, Devils Elbow SP, Cape Creek
August 3, 2008
It was a beautiful calm morning with only one car from Montana with a couple photographing tide pools which they had never seen before.
Report Details
It was a beautiful calm morning with only one car from Montana with a couple photographing tide pools which they had never seen before. Most of the rocky beach found in spring was now covered with sand as was much of the seaweed, algae, and many of anemones. The beach was almost totally free of man made debris. Kelp flies were slightly bothersome. There was one unidentified dead bird in the drift line.The usual mob of western gulls were bathing in the mouth of Cape Creek. A few escaped crab pots were off Parrot and Pirate Rock. Surf scoters were in the surf and beyond. From up at the light house you could see pelicans skimming the waves, Brandt's cormorants with fully grown young, and common murres which had just about finished nesting and raising their chicks. Also there were a few tufted puffins observed flying in and out from the back side of Conical Rock. They must have a nest or two on the backside. I hope they are successful at raising young this year.
Conditions
Temperature: 63 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: -1.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 2. Photography: 1. Tidepooling: 2. By the time I left at noon the parking lot was full with 50 cars and trucks, 2 RVs and there was one surfer in the waves.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 1.
Notable Wildlife
Surf scoters, seagulls, pelicans, cormorants, common murres, tufted puffins. Healthy looking mussels, barnacles and seaweed.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 1. I have included a photo. I do not know what species. Perhaps someone can Identify it for me.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Shells, Wood pieces. The drift line had very little in it. A very small amount of the above. It was the cleanest I have ever seen it.
Actions & Comments
The beach was extremely clean.
Report Images
oystercatcher
CoastWatcher
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Mile 179
Heceta Head Lighthouse, Devils Elbow SP, Cape Creek
Beach was clean and clear, not many people.
Kelly Thomas
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The parking lot was closed due to King Tide debris washing up onto the parking lot and possbility of sneaker waves.
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It was a cold, windy, day with chance of rain at any moment.
ThomasK
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A quick trip to check the Heceta Lighthouse Beach.
ThomasK
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Heceta Head Lighthouse, Devils Elbow SP, Cape Creek
It was a beautiful clear morning.
oystercatcher
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Heceta Head Lighthouse, Devils Elbow SP, Cape Creek
Immature Gray Whale reported dead on Carl G.
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