Mile 20 Report
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
December 8, 2008
Very light and patchy driftline with 21 genera of kelp/algae, a few olive and mussel shells, 2 small Cryptochitons(Gumboot Chitons), one Blood Star (Henricia), several Spot-bellied Rock Crabs (Cancer antennarius), and Dungeness Crab (Cancer magister) carapaces, One Kelp Crab (Pugettia producta) carapace, Feather-duster worm tubes, a few Leather Bryozoa, two sponges and Hydrozoa and ocean-based debris in the driftline.
Report Details
Very light and patchy driftline with 21 genera of kelp/algae, a few olive and mussel shells, 2 small Cryptochitons(Gumboot Chitons), one Blood Star (Henricia), several Spot-bellied Rock Crabs (Cancer antennarius), and Dungeness Crab (Cancer magister) carapaces, One Kelp Crab (Pugettia producta) carapace, Feather-duster worm tubes, a few Leather Bryozoa, two sponges and Hydrozoa and ocean-based debris in the driftline. Three grocery-sized bags of debris removed from the beach. One dead Western Grebe. Double-crested Cormorants on offshore rocks. Brown Pelicans, flying offshore. Black Phoebes, Pippets, Flicker over headland. Great Blue Heron on beach. Tracks of deer, River Otter, Raccoon and possible skunk on beach. About 90 harbor seals on rocks and in water. One Sea Lion in water. Sand removed exposing cobbles on south beach. Driftwood gathered at southern end of mile. Wind speed of 7.4 mph air and ocean temperatures of 53 and 52.4 degrees F, respectively.
Conditions
Temperature: 53 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW.
Notable Wildlife
Double-crested Cormorants on off-shore rocks, Brown Pelicans flying over ocean, flock of Pippets flying over headland, Black Phoebes, Flicker in trees, Western Gulls, Great Blue Heron and it's tracks on beach. 1 Sea Lion in bay, 88 Harbor Seals on rocks and 4-6 in water. Tracks of deer, river otter, raccoon and possibly skunk on beach.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 1. Western Grebe
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
2 Gumboot Chitons (Cryptochiton stelleri)1 Blood Star Sea Star (Henricia leviuscula)
Driftline Content
Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. See General Comment
Natural Changes
Approximately 6 feet of sand removed from south beach exposing cobbles below headland. Driftwood gathered at south end of beach. Large cobble patches on the middle of beach.
Actions & Comments
Patchy, sparse driftline today. 3 bags of debris removed from beach. A few Olive shells, a piece of Coralline-encased Filament-Worm (Doecaceria species) casing, Surf grass (Phyllospadix), Leather Bryozoan (Flustrellidra), Spot-bellied Rock Crab (Cancer antennarius), Dungeness Crab (Cancer magister), Bread Crumb Sponge (Halichondria species), Red Glove Sponge (Clathria), Feather-duster Worm tube, Pterygophora (Old Growth Kelp), Nereocystis (Bull Kelp), Postelsia palmaeformis (Sea Palm), Stenogramma, Egregia (Feather Boa Kelp), Mazzaella (Iridescent Seaweed), Mastocarpus papillatus (Turkish Washcloth) on rocks, Porphyra (Nori or Laver) on rocks, Laminaria sinclairii (Dense-clumped Kelp), Saccharina (Sea Cabbage), Callophyllis (Beautiful Leaf Seaweed), Lessoniopsis (Strap Kelp), Ahnfeltiopsis (Flat-tipped Forked Seaweed), Constantinea (Cup and Saucer Seaweed), Hymenena (Black-lined Red Seaweed), Cystoseira (Northern Bladder Chain), Fucus (Rockweed), Bossiella (Coral Leaf Seaweeds), Serraticardia (Macmillan’s Coral Seaweed), Rhodymenia (Pacific Rose Seaweed), and Erythrophyllum (Red Sea Leaf).
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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Mile 20
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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Mile 20
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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Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
Peregrine Falcon resting on south end of Saddle Rock.
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Mile 20
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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Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
Three boats seen drifting very close to offshore rocks.
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Mile 20
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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Mile 20
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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