Mile 20 Report
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
May 28, 2010
No driftline in the north cove.
Report Details
No driftline in the north cove. A moderate driftline on the middle beach with a localized heavy concentration near the middle of the beach. The south beach had no driftline. Eighteen species of kelp/algae, Hydrozoa, five Sea Stars, three species of Bryozoa (Flustrellidra, Crisia and Tricellaria), a sponge (Neoesperiopsis), Sea Pork (Aplidium), Stalked Compound Tunicate (Distaplia), worm tubes, Surfgrass (Phyllospadix), small rocks, wood pieces in the driftline. Twenty-four Harbor Seals on offshore rocks. Two California Sea Lions swimming in the bay. Four pair of Black Oystercatchers nesting on offshore rocks. Significant retreat of the bluff of the headland. Sand deposition on South Beach. Boulders and logs at base of northern and southern bluffs. Continued slumping at south headland. The large plastic fish box remains on the south beach. The air and ocean temperatures were 57 and 56 degrees, resprctively. The wind speed was 5.8 mph from SW. No other human activity on the beach.
Conditions
Temperature: 57 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW.
Notable Wildlife
24 Harbor Seals resting on the rocks.3 California Sea Lions swimming in the bay.4 pairs of Black Oystercatchers nesting on offshore rocks.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
5 dead Sea Star (Piaster ochraceus)
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Small rocks, Wood pieces. Surfgrass (Phyllospadix), 3 species of Bryozoa, Hydrozoa, Stalked Tunicate (Distaplia), sponge (Neoesperiopsis)
Natural Changes
Visible retreat of solid bluff. Sand deposition on South Beach. Continued slumping at south headland.
Actions & Comments
No driftline in north cove. Most of the middle beach had a moderate driftline with a heavy concentration near the middle of the beach. The south beach had no driftline. The kelp/algae in the driftline were: Fucus (Rockweed), Lessoniopsis (Strap Kelp), Saccharina (Sea Cabbage), Cystoseira (Northern Bladder Chain), Ahnfeltiopsis (Flat-tipped Forked Seaweed), Pterygophora (Old Growth Kelp), Egregia (Feather Boa Kelp), Cryptopleura (Ruffled Red Seaweed), Hymenena (Black-lined Red Seaweed), Porphyra (Nori), Plocamium (Sea Braid), Callophyllis (Beautiful Leaf Seaweed), Alaria (Ribbon Kelp), Pleurophycus (Broad-rib Kelp), Postelsia (Sea Palm), Pelvetiopsis (Little Rock Weed), Neorhodomela (Black Larch) and Mastocarpus (Turkish Washcloth). Large worm tubes were found in the driftline. The Bryozoa of the driftline were Crisia maxima, Tricellaria circumternata and Flustrellidra spinifera. The air and ocean temperatures were 57 and 56 degrees, resectively. The wind speed was 6 mph from NW. The large plastic fish box remained on the 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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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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