Mile 21 Report

July 25, 2021
by PaulSherman

Location:
Curry
Pistol River SP south
Conditions:
Sunday 6:45 AM
Foggy
62° F
Wind:
Calm/Light from the NW
Tide Level:
-1.6 ft
Humans / Pets:
People:
1
Dogs:
1
Activities:
Walking / Running:
1
Concerns:
Disturbances:
Vehicles:
Activity Comments:
OHV tracks seen on beach.
Notable Wildlife:
Invertebrates: I saw hundreds of orange and purple sea stars that were exposed by the exceptionally low tide. None showed signs of wasting disease. The anemone and barnacle populations also appear to be thriving. Extensive mussel beds were exposed. Some individuals were 8 inches long! Vertebrates: I saw 8 Black Oystercatchers, 4 Brown Pelicans, and watched an immature Bald Eagle kill a Western Gull and carry it off.
Dead Birds:
Total:
4
Species/names:
Carcasses of 2 common murres and 2 western gulls
Stranded:
Fish & Invertebrates:
Driftline:
Small rocks·Kelp or Algae·Shells·Animal casings (e.g. crab, shrimp molt)
New Development:
Modifications:
Natural Changes:
Comments:
Summary:
Other Mile 21 Reports (13)

2022

September 11, 2022 - PaulSherman
I saw 2 coyotes, 1 grey fox, and 5 brown pelicans, in addition to many western gulls.
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  • Healthy Sea Stars
  • Healthy Mussels

2020

July 23, 2020 - PaulSherman
No violations  or unusual environmental damage noted.  Healthy sea star population and flock of brown pelicans observed.
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May 8, 2020 - PaulSherman
All was well on Mile 21 in the early morning of 8 May on a very low tide (-1.5).  An apparently orphaned Harbor Seal pup was observed on the beach in the cove at the southernmost end of Mile 21.  It...
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January 30, 2020 - PaulSherman
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2019

October 27, 2019 - PaulSherman
It was a beautiful sunny, warm windy day.  I walked south along the beach all the way to the massive rocks at the boundary of the USFWS refuge at Crook Point.  The tide was low (-0.4) and the exposed...
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2014

May 3, 2014 - PaulSherman
The starfish we had seen dead and washed-up near pistol river / ocean coast line had disappeared --probably washed back into sea.As we walked mile 21, we observed hundreds of mole crab exuviae!...
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April 18, 2014 - PaulSherman
Mrs. Peregrine Strikes AgainUpon our arrival, we observed the resident Peregrine pair on the dunes just adjacent to the Pistol River mouth. The male had just arrived, scaring up about 20 gulls...
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April 5, 2014 - PaulSherman
The migratory eagles we observed over the Pistol River did appear to bother gulls that typically bath in the Pistol river estuary. We saw three to four harbor seals in the river confluence with the...
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  • photos of shore debris described in report are attached for further examinatiion
  • at the low water mark at 21.5 mil
  • at mile 21.5
  • Near Crook PointPicked upon by a raven, two vultures and a single eagle
March 7, 2014 - PaulSherman
We came upon the widened mouth of the Pistol River after many days of rain, and saw the area strangely absent of bathing gulls. Three Ravens were hawking, and a Peregrine dive bombed them then landed...
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  • Peregrine had only just killed Herring when he'd arrived. Both adults were plucking the kill, then the male flew across the Pistol mouth, to watch from the driftwood, from afar. Ms. Peregrine (the larger of the two) stayed to clean her kill.
  • End of mile 21
  • The pair of Peregrines were still defending their Kill one hour later, mobbing a ravenous pair of Ravens that were attempting to usurp the leavings. Our last photo interrupted the scene, temporarily.
January 17, 2014 - PaulSherman
We removed a minor amount of washed up "Oregon" debris and left a rubber tire that had washed up near end of mi 21-20 (rolled up to sand dune base). American made, Kelly Titanium, size R275-16We...
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January 4, 2014 - Bob Ivey
Did some additional research about the area. There is a proposal for a golf couse which would include beach access farther down the coast, where was once a commercial salmon hatchery operated,...
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  • South hike from Pistol River to Crook's Point. Along south extending lagoon to Crook"s Point approx 2 mile and back thur 30 to 40 foot sand dunes with sea floor rock protruding thur.

2009

July 1, 2009 - Don Hayes
A pleasant day for a beach walk, run, swim, stretch, and report including 70 photo study. Nothing unusual to note except no one on entire beach or in lot and small seal seeming not in best of health...
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  • Don Haye, Mile 21, July 1, 2009, photo observations

2007

August 22, 2007 - Don Hayes
I visually scan the entire coast mile daily and walk, run, and swim there regularily. Also I make photos from time to time. I do see an occassional dead bird or seal as well as plastic drifting in....
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