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On the nearshore headland, we saw a Lupine Blue Butterfly and a Checkerspot Butterfly. During this low tide, we found 8 large Cryptochitons (Gumboot Chitons), 8 Henricia leviuscula (Blood Stars), 1 Dermaterias imbricata (Leather Star), 1 Pisaster brevispinus (Giant Pink Star) and numerous Pisaster ochraceus (Ochre Sea Star). Up against a darker rock ledge, we found a blood red/orange Nemertea worm, Tubulanus polymorphus. There were many species of algae, kelp and rocks covered with Zostera marina (Eel grass). Kelp (Lessoniopsis (Strap Kelp), Pterygophora (Old Growth Kelp), Fucus (Rockweed), Ahnfeltiopsis (Flat-tipped Forked Seaweed), Egregia (Feather Boa Kelp), Constantinea (Cup and Saucer Seaweed), Cystoseira (Northern Bladder Chain), Mazzaella (Iridescent Seaweed), Nereocystis (Bull Kelp),Callophyllis (Beautiful Leaf Seaweed), Rhodymenia (Pacific Rose Seaweed), Chondracanthus (Turkish Towel), Opuntiella (Prickly Pear Seaweed), Postelsia palmaeformis (Sea Palm), Hedophyllum (Sea Cabbage), Hymenena (Black-lined Red Seaweed), Plocamium (Sea Braid), Neorhodomela (Corkscrew kelp or Dreadlocks—these are our made up common names), Porphyra (Nori or Laver), Desmarestia ligulata (Acid Kelp or Broad Acid Weed)), wood pieces, Spruce cones, myrtle seeds, Cryptochiton stelleri (Gumboot Chiton), Rock Crab Carapaces, Rock Scallop shells, Sponge (Clathria prolifera), Bryozoa including Flustrellidra (Spiny Leather Bryozoan), Hydrozoa and the red Tunicate, Ritterella, and feather worm tubes were found in the driftline. Western Gulls, Black Oystercatchers and Turkey Vultures flying offshore or above the beach. 21 Harbor Seals on offshore rocks. River Otter tracks on beach. Vocalization of Steller Sea Lions heard. North Cove with little sand and lots of cobblestones and drift logs. Slope of beach just south of Crook Point is 8 degrees. Southern most beach flat with cobblestones and drift logs against the headlands. Sanicula arctopoides (Footsteps-of-Spring), Fragaria chiloensis (Wild Strawberry), Armeria maritima (Thrift), Ranunculus californica (Buttercup)and Erigeron glaucus (Seaside Daisy) were in bloom on the headland of Crook Point. Calandrinia ciliata (Red Maid), Cerastium arvense (Field Chickweed), Bellis perennis (English Daisy) were blooming on the headland near the middle of the mile (south headland). Wind speed of 5.9 mph from SW. Air and ocean tempertaures of 49.7 and 49.8 degrees F, respectfully. Low human impact (2)-walking with two dogs.

Conditions

Temperature: 5 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: -1.4 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 2. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 2.

Notable Wildlife

Western Gulls, Black Oystercatchers, Turkey Vultures. 21 Harbor Seals on off-shore rocks and in the water. Vocalization of Stellers Seal Lion heard. River Otter tracks on beach. On the nearshore headland, we saw a Lupine Blue Butterfly and a Checkerspot Butterfly. During this low tide, we found 8 large Cryptochitons (Gumboot Chitons), 8 Henricia leviuscula (Blood Stars), 1 Dermaterias imbricata (Leather Star), 1 Pisaster brevispinus (Giant Pink Star) and numerous Pisaster ochraceus (Ochre Sea Star). Up against a darker rock ledge, we found a blood red/orange Nemertea worm, Tubulanus polymorphus. There were many species of algae, kelp and rocks covered with Zostera marina (Eel grass).

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Wood pieces. See General Comment.

Actions & Comments

Driftline content: Spruce cones, myrtle seeds, Cryptochiton stelleri (Gumboot Chiton), Rock Crab Carapaces, Rock Scallop shells, Sponge (Clathria prolifera), Bryozoa, Hydrozoa and the red Tunicate, Ritterella, and feather worm tubes found in the driftline.North Cove continues to have cobble stones with driftwood and little sand. The beach just to the south of Crook Point had a slope of 8 degrees. South beach flat with cobble stones and driftwood against the clift. Kelps found in the driftline were Lessoniopsis (Strap Kelp), Pterygophora (Old Growth Kelp), Fucus (Rockweed), Ahnfeltiopsis (Flat-tipped Forked Seaweed), Egregia (Feather Boa Kelp), Constantinea (Cup and Saucer Seaweed), Cystoseira (Northern Bladder Chain), Mazzaella (Iridescent Seaweed), Nereocystis (Bull Kelp),Callophyllis (Beautiful Leaf Seaweed), Rhodymenia (Pacific Rose Seaweed), Chondracanthus (Turkish Towel), Opuntiella (Prickly Pear Seaweed), Postelsia palmaeformis (Sea Palm), Hedophyllum (Sea Cabbage), Hymenena (Black-lined Red Seaweed), Plocamium (Sea Braid), Neorhodomela (Corkscrew kelp or Dreadlocks—these are our made up common names), Porphyra (Nori or Laver), Desmarestia ligulata (Acid Kelp or Broad Acid Weed). Sanicula arctopoides (Footsteps-of-Spring), Fragaria chiloensis (Wild Strawberry), Armeria maritima (Thrift), Ranunculus californica (Buttercup)and Erigeron glaucus (Seaside Daisy) were in bloom on the headland of Crook Point. Calandrinia ciliata (Red Maid), Cerastium arvense (Field Chickweed), Bellis perennis (English Daisy) were blooming on the headland near the middle of the mile (south headland).

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All Mile 20 Reports

Showing 8 of 35 reports

Mile 20

January 13, 2015

One person and two dogs were seen on the beach.

D Bilderback

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 20

May 15, 2013

Except for one small heavy patch of drift, the driftline was sparse with kelp/algae, Leather Bryozoa and crab carapaces.

D Bilderback

Mile 20

March 8, 2013

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.

D Bilderback

Mile 20

December 9, 2012

Peregrine Falcon resting on south end of Saddle Rock.

D Bilderback

Mile 20

May 17, 2012

Light driftline with 12 different genera of kelp and algae, terrestrial mosses, Leather Bryozoa (Flustrellidra corniculata), the flowering plant, Phyllospadix (Seagrass) and small rocks.

D Bilderback

Mile 20

September 7, 2011

Three boats seen drifting very close to offshore rocks.

D Bilderback

Mile 20

July 28, 2011

The south beach lacked driftline and sand has accumulated around the drift logs and over the large rocks at the base of the headland.

D Bilderback

Mile 20

May 17, 2011

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.

D Bilderback