Mile 20 Report
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
January 28, 2011
The north cove had little or no driftline, and sand had been removed exposing large rocks at the base of the bluff.
Report Details
The north cove had little or no driftline, and sand had been removed exposing large rocks at the base of the bluff. Large drift logs rested on the rocks. The driftline had a large amount of terrestrial duff of moss and leaf litter. A major landslide had slumped into the cove. The driftline of the middle beach consisted of a large amount of terrestrial duff of moss and leaf litter mixed with 14 different types of kelp and algae. The invertebrates were Leather Bryozoa(Flustrellidra), Clubbed Compound Tunicate (Distaplia), Sea Pork (Aplidium), worm tubes and Green False Jingle Shell(Pododesmus). The bluff had slumped at several places carrying down soil, rocks, vegetation and trees onto the beach. The south beach had no driftline, and sand had been removed exposing rocks at the base of the bluff. Large drift logs were on the rocks. 75 Harbor seals hauled out on the offshore rocks or swimming in the bay. 17 Steller's and 5 California Sea Lions on an offshore rock. 30 cormorants resting on rocks. A Double-Crested Cormorant flew over bay. 6 Black Oystercatchers on rocks. 47 Raven on northern beach. 70 Common Murre on ocean. 200 Canada Geese flying north. Loons on the ocean. White-Winged Scoter on bay. 2 Red-Tailed Hawks flying over beach. Yellow-Rumped Warblers on slope above beach. The ocean and air tempertures were 52.4 and 62 degrees, respectively. The was no wind on the beach.
Conditions
Temperature: 62 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light.
Notable Wildlife
75 Harbor seals hauled out on the offshore rocks or swimming in the bay. 17 Steller's and 5 California Sea Lions on an offshore rock. 30 cormorants resting on rocks. Double-crested Cormorant flying over bay. 6 Black Oystercatchers on rocks. 47 Raven on northern beach. 70 Common Murre on ocean. 200 Canada Geese flying north. Loons on the ocean. White-Winged Scoter on bay. 2 Red-Tailed Hawks flying over beach. Yellow-Rumped Warblers on slope above beach.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Leather Bryozoa(Flustrellidra), Clubbed Compound Tunicate (Distaplia), Sea Pork (Aplidium), worm tubes, Green False Jingle Shell (Pododesmus).
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Wood pieces. Terrestrial duff of moss and leaf litter.
Natural Changes
Major cracks appearing in bluffs, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff, Landslides/major boulder falls.
Actions & Comments
The kelp/algae in the driftline were: Callophyllis (Beautiful leaf Seaweed), Mazzaella (Iridescent Seaweed), Hymenena (Black-lined Seaweed), Lessoniopsis (Strap Kelp), Constantinea (Cup and Saucer Seaweed), Fucus (Rockweed), Cryptopleura (Ruffled Red Seaweed), Saccharina (Sea Cabbage), Rhodymenia (Pacific Rose Seaweed), Erythrophyllum (Red Sea Leaf),Pterygophora (Old Growth Kelp),Opuntiella (Prickly Pear Seaweed), Laminaria (Split Kelp) and Membranoptera (Feather-veined Red Seaweed). The ocean and air tempertures were 52.4 and 62 degrees, respectively. The was no wind on the beach. There was a major landslide in the north cove and lesser slumps on the middle and south beach.
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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Except for one small heavy patch of drift, the driftline was sparse with kelp/algae, Leather Bryozoa and crab carapaces.
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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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Peregrine Falcon resting on south end of Saddle Rock.
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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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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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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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