Mile 213 - Henderson Creek, South Beach SP south - January 23, 2022

Report Details

Beach access previously had been closed for reconstruction. The area south of Henderson Creek continues to be the area to watch for erosion -- pebbles everywhere in low tide areas with basalt rocks. Not many shells or kelp. No wildlife except the one gull with perhaps a broken wing in a safe area away from dogs.

Conditions

Temperature: 54 F. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 4.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 29. Number of dogs: 17. Walking or running: 29. Other Activities: Most people were walking at least one dog.. As noted above, walkers were with dogs. Haven't seen so many dogs in the past.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2.

Notable Wildlife

No birds except one bird on a ledge beneath a hill which was pointed out to us as a gull apparently with a broken wing. Reported this bird and its location to a ranger at South Beach State Park.

Beached Birds

none

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Nothing unusual - mostly broken clam shells.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Wood pieces. Very little bull kelp. Lots of small rocks were exposed by the low tide which "sang" when the water was receding. Haven't heard this before at this mile. Similar to what can be heard at Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Large rocks were half-way to driftline.

New Development

nothing new

Man-made Modifications

There was the typical masses of wood -- tree trunks, etc. But it seemed like there had been some placement of "trees" at the base of dunes along the stretch of mile. Helping to stop erosion? Usually trees aren't arranged like this brought in by the waves.

Natural Changes

Landslides/major boulder falls, Evidence of wave overtopping. Seemed like the dunes buffer in back of Southshore Beach Housing had been reduced. Whole mile showed winter storm damage and more so in the area south of Henderson Creek.

Actions & Comments

Rerported to South Beach Park Ranger about the gull with supposedly broken wing and its location. He was going to call the appropriate phone number.