Mile 20 Report
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
April 26, 2009
We spent time exploring the intertidal invertebrates just south of Saddle Rock during the low tide today (see photos).
Report Details
We spent time exploring the intertidal invertebrates just south of Saddle Rock during the low tide today (see photos). A few kelp/algae and small rocks in driftline. One portion of the middle beach had forest duff in the driftline. Sand buildup on the south beach. One Canada Goose on south beach. Observed birds were: 5 Black Oystercatchers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, American Kestrel, Common Loon, Western Grebe, Osprey, Brown Pelicans and Pelagic Cormorant. 17 Steller's Sea Lions on off shore rocks. Harbor Seals in bay. Tracks of raccoon on beach. Air and ocean temperatures of 49 and 48.2 degrees F, respectively. Wind speed of 22 mph from NW. Low human impact (0).
Conditions
Temperature: 49 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW.
Notable Wildlife
One Canada Goose on south beach, 5 Black Oystercatchers on off-shore rocks, Semipalmated Sandpipers, American Kestrel on beach and headlands, and Common Loon, Pelagic Cormorants and Western Grebe in bay. Flocks of Brown Pelicans and one Osprey flying over bay. Tracks of raccoon on beach.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Small rocks. One section of forest duff.
Man-made Modifications
Sand build up on south beach.
Actions & Comments
Cystoseira (Northern Bladder Chain), Laminaria sinclairii (Dense-clumped Kelp), Mazzaella (Iridescent Seaweed), Alaria (Ribbon Kelp), Pterygophora (Old Growth Kelp), Prionitis (Bleach Weed), and Phyllospadix (Sea Grass) in the driftline.
Report Images
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Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
One person and two dogs were seen on the beach.
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Saddle Rock, Crook Point
Except for one small heavy patch of drift, the driftline was sparse with kelp/algae, Leather Bryozoa and crab carapaces.
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Saddle Rock, Crook Point
The driftline was absent except for two localized areas with terrestrial-derived leaves, mosses, wood pieces, some shredded blades of Pterygophora(Old Growth Kelp) and a few invertebrates and other algae and kelp.
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Saddle Rock, Crook Point
Peregrine Falcon resting on south end of Saddle Rock.
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Saddle Rock, Crook Point
Light driftline with 12 different genera of kelp and algae, terrestrial mosses, Leather Bryozoa (Flustrellidra corniculata), the flowering plant, Phyllospadix (Seagrass) and small rocks.
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Saddle Rock, Crook Point
Three boats seen drifting very close to offshore rocks.
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Saddle Rock, Crook Point
The south beach lacked driftline and sand has accumulated around the drift logs and over the large rocks at the base of the headland.
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Saddle Rock, Crook Point
The driftline was light on the southern and northern portions of the beach but heavy on the middle portion of the beach with large amounts of kelp/algae and forest duff.
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