Mile 202 - North Spit Alsea River - October 26, 2014 | Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

Report Details

Several days of big wind and rainstorms brought lots of debris to mile 202/North Alsea Bay. We encountered a greater-than-usual amount of driftwood on the beach as well as big stumps and logs floating in and out in the surf. Lots of plastic and other non-natural debris was in the wrack line. Didn't see much styrofoam but microplastic was abundant. Trash appeared to come from both visitors on the beach (food and drink containers) and from boats at sea (ropes and fishing gear).Perhaps due to the earlier rough weather, we did not spot many humans on the beach - only a few small groups of 2-3 people. One had a dog on a leash. We took note of two pieces of heavy machinery altering dunes as well as what appeared to be new vegetation planted. This may be part of a project to preserve the dunes at the end of the Bayshore spit.During our cleanup we encountered three dead animal carcasses. Two were dead birds washing up in the surf: a Cassin's auklet and a Northern Fulmar (see photos). We also spotted a very large carcass of unknown origin. Definitely bones and flesh but not a bird (see photo).Regarding live animals, we saw a lot of gulls at the end of the Bayshore spit. There were also 3 pelicans in the same area. Since it was near high tide, we did not see any seals lying out in their usual spot.

Conditions

Temperature: 57 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 7.9 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 12. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 12. Not many humans spotted on beach. Those seen were out walking in small 2-3 person groups along the waterline.

Concerns

Litter

Notable Wildlife

Saw lots of gulls. Also spotted 3 pelicans and a few sandpipers.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 2. No markings detected. We believe we saw a small (possibly juvenile) Common Murre and a Northern Fulmar.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. Lots of storm and driftwood debris on beach.

New Development

Bluff development.

Man-made Modifications

Dune modification/removal, Beachgrass planting or removal. Appears to be artificial dune modification in neighborhood.

Report Images

unbound

CoastWatcher

All Mile 202 Reports

Date

Showing 8 of 60 reports

Mile 202

North Spit Alsea River

March 7, 2024

Mile 202 beach accesses and exits are now restricted because of erosion and sheering off of the sand cliffs along its northern portion, so I now need to plan for a receding tide if I want to walk the entire mile safely.

Jon French

Mile 202

North Spit Alsea River

January 28, 2024

After finding forty beached Cassin's Auklets on Jan.

Jon French

Mile 202

North Spit Alsea River

October 30, 2023

A beautifully calm, sunny day, maybe the last for awhile, with a fifteen mile view from Seal Rock to Cape Perpetua and hardly anyone on the beach except for two surf fishers and a couple valiantly trying to launch a kite with no wind.

Jon French