Report Details

The day was sunny and warm, with a light breeze, and only a few other people were out exploring. The tide was low, giving us opportunity to explore the edges of the rocky shore. Much sand has returned to inlets and coves, and there are large areas of sand in various places on the flat, rocky shelves along the shore. Because of the low tide we were able to see large numbers of seastars clustered along the bottom of the rocks close to the water, more than we have seen in one place before. Mussels were thickly clustered on all rocks close to the water, and there were barnacles and limpets. There were many young barnacles on rocks even at the fringes of the intertidal zone, as well as many small snails. There were many fresh water pools, fed by seepage and runoff, full of tadpoles and water insects. We saw a large, open egg casing in a tidepool, which we speculated might be a skate casing. We sighted one whale close to shore, headed south at a good pace. Like last year at this time, there was not a lot of bird activity on the surface of the ocean. We did see 2 or 3 dozen pelicans skimming the waves, many gulls on the rocks at the south end of the mile, cormorants on the rocks and diving for fish in the water, and a few pigeon guillemots. A pair of oystercatchers was very territorial about one rocky area of the shore, and we assume there must be a nest there. We did see sealions on the rocks and in the water. We gathered some litter, of both marine and land origin, but overall the rocky shore was fairly clean without much visible impact of human activity. Like last year at this time the wildflowers were impressive, particularly sea thrift, foxgloves, wild irises, and seep spring monkey flowers.

Conditions

Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 1.1 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Number of dogs: 1. Sitting: 2. Tidepooling: 2.

Notable Wildlife

We saw 2-3 dozen pelicans. Also we saw a pair of oystercatchers that seemed to be exhibiting nesting behavior.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. Gull

Driftline Content

Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Wood pieces.

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All Mile 192 Reports

Showing 8 of 12 reports

Mile 192

December 29, 2019

Very bad year for the seagulls and oystercatchers on the Cleft of the Rock sanctuary.

phillil60@gmail.com

Mile 192

December 31, 2018

Since much of my mile is rocky with steep embankments, I can't really get down to view it from eye level.

phillil60@gmail.com

Mile 192

November 10, 2017

I can't get down to the water on much of my mile but I will try as soon as I get a dry day.

phillil60@gmail.com

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 192

February 21, 2010

Despite warmer than normal temperatures since December, the main sign of the coming change of seasons was the widespread growth of bright green algae around pools and runoff areas on all the rocky shelves we explored.

mcrobbins

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 192

August 29, 2009

The weekend was mild, but foggy and damp from the recent rain, and mile 192 was deserted except for a couple enjoying a walk on the rocks and a man walking two small dogs.

mcrobbins

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 192

June 15, 2009

The day was sunny and warm, with a light breeze, and only a few other people were out exploring.

mcrobbins

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 192

March 13, 2009

Spring is not very much in evidence on mile 192, although there are subtle signs of change.

mcrobbins

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 192

September 21, 2008

Despite the mild weekend weather, we did not see much human activity during our walk, except at the beach access directly off Yachats Ocean Road.

mcrobbins