Mile 20 Report
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
October 1, 2009
The southern portion of the mile continues to accumulate sand but lacked any drift.
Report Details
The southern portion of the mile continues to accumulate sand but lacked any drift. Sand continues to move into the middle portion of the mile (western most point to 2/3 mile southeast of the point) and had areas of heavy accumulations of drift consisting of Seagrass, kelp/algae, wood and a small number of invertebrates. Sand continues to move into the north cove but it was free of drift. Heerman's Gulls, Brown Pelicans and a Western Grebe were in the bay. 31 Harbor Seals on rocks or in bay. Peregrine Falcon flew over headland. Double-crested Cormorant on rocks. River Otter tracks on beach. Dead birds were 2 Brandt's Cormorants, 1 Common Murre and 1 Western Gull. One dead California Sea Lion, reported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. 1 skull of rock fish found on beach. Wind speed of 21 mph. Air and ocean temperatures of 59 and 53 degrees F., respectively. Low human impact (0).
Conditions
Temperature: 59 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW.
Notable Wildlife
Heerman's Gulls, Brown Pelican and Western Grebe in the bay. 31 Harbor Seals hauled out on rocks or swimming in bay. A Peregrine Falcon flying over headland. Winter Wren in bushes. Double-crested Cormorant on rocks. River Otter tracks on south beach.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 4. 2 Brandt's Cormorant1 Western Gull (immature)1 Common Murre
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. California Sea Lion, bones and pelt carcass about 3/4 miles from the western point.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
1 rock fish skull (not sure of species).
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Wood pieces. See General Comment
Man-made Modifications
Sand accumulation on beaches.
Actions & Comments
Driftline content: One small Cryptochiton (Gumboot Chiton), 2 skate egg cases, Hydrozoa, Sea Pork (Aplidium), Clubbed Tunicate (Distaplia), sponge, Rock Scallop shell, 1 Dungess and 2 Red Rock crab carapaces and Leather Bryozoa (Flustrellidra). Kelp/algae in driftline included: Pterygophora (Old Growth Kelp), Mazzaella (Iridescent Seaweed), Postelsia palmaeformis (Sea Palm), Lessoniopsis (Strap Kelp), Constantinea (Cup and Saucer Seaweed), Egregia (Feather Boa Kelp), Hymenena (Black-lined Red Seaweed), Saccharina (Sea Cabbage), Callophyllis (Beautiful Leaf Seaweed), Pelvetiopsis limitata (Little Rockweed), Fucus (Rockweed), Plocamium cartilagineum (Sea Braid), Alaria (Ribbon Kelp), Cystoseira (Northern Bladder Chain), Kallymeniopsis, Erythrophyllum (Red Sea Leaf), Opuntiella (Prickly Pear Seaweed), Rhodymenia (Pacific Rose Seaweed), Serraticardia (Macmillan’s Coral Seaweed), Osmundea (Sea Laurel), as well as large amounts of Phyllospadix (Sea Grass). While the south beach was clear of drift, the middle beach had areas of heavy accumulation of drift. Two bags of plastic bottles were removed from the beach.
Report Images
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All Mile 20 Reports
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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