August 7, 2008

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N.

Four Harbor Porpoise, and several Gray Whales in near shore ocean. Many Harbor Seals hauled out on offshore rocks. Numerous Brown Pelicans on rocks and in bay with Heermann's Gulls, Western Gulls, Black Oystercatchers, Pigeon Guillemot,cormorants, California Sea Lions, and Stellers Sea Lions on offshore rocks. Nereocystis (Bull Kelp) and Cystoseira (Northern Bladder Chain) in kelp fields of the bay. Otter, deer, and raccoon tracks on beach. One resting Northern Elephant Seal on the beach. One dead Townsend's Vole (Microtus townsendii), and one large live beetle,a Ten-lined June Beetle (Polyphylla decemlineata) on the beach.

Total stranded mammals: 2. 1 Living and resting Northern Elephant Seal, 1 living California Sea Lion that was hauled out on the rocks below Crook Point.

A few Red-eye Medusa (Polyorchis pencillatus) and Lion's Head Jelly (Cyanea capillata) on the beach. Lots of burrows of the California Beach Hopper (Megalorchestia californiana) were very visible due to the darker sand that was thrown on top of the lighter sand (see photos). Both Red-rock Crab (Cancer productus) and Spotted-belly Crab (Cancer antennarius) carapaces were on the beach. Other invertebrates included large Leather Bryozoan (Flustrellidra), and Hydrozoans.

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). Flustrellidra (Leather Bryozoan), Hydrozoa, Red-eye Medusa (Polyorchis pencillatus), and Lion's Head Jelly (Cyanea capillata).

see General Comment

Reported both Northern Elephant Seal and the California Sea Lion to Jim Rice, Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator and to David Ledig, USFW manager for Crook Point Refuge.Twenty-six species of kelp/algae were in the driftline. These included the following: Ahnfeltiopsis (Flat-tipped Forked Seaweed), Laminaria sinclairii (Dense-clumped Kelp),Hymenena (Black-lined Red Seaweed), Cystoseira (Northern Bladder Chain), Cryptopleura (Ruffled Red Seaweed), Mazzaella (Iridescent Seaweed), Desmarestia ligulata (Acid Kelp or Broad Acid Weed), Fucus (Rockweed), Plocamium (Sea Braid), Neorhodomela (Black Larch), Pelvetiopsis limitata (Little Rockweed), Ulva (Sea Lettuce), Pleurophycus (Broad-rib Kelp), Porphyra (Nori or Laver), Mastocarpus papillatus (Turkish Washcloth), Postelsia palmaeformis (Sea Palm), Callophyllis (Beautiful Leaf Seaweed), Ptilota (Sea Fern), Egregia (Feather Boa Kelp), Pterygophora (Old Growth Kelp), Alaria (Ribbon Kelp), Saccharina (Sea Cabbage), Chondracanthus (Turkish Towel), Prionitis (Bleach Weed), Erythrophyllum (Red Sea Leaf), and Dilsea California (Leathery Strap Seaweed). The aquatic angiosperms, Eelgrass (Zostera) and Surfgrass (Phyllospadix) were also in the driftline.Beach modifications: Sand of south beach moving on shore covering rocks and piling up against the drift logs. Beach slope 6 degrees. Middle beach with five cobble patches.