Mile 220 - Yaquina Head north, Schooner Creek south - October 1, 2018

Report Details

A warm but wet day on Mile 220. 3 surfers and 7 walkers along with 3 dogs were out enjoying the spritzing. The bluff and vegetation continue to slide towards the sea. A small Harbor Seal has been slowly disintegrating on the north section of our beach, 7 dead seabirds along the length of Mile 220. Lots of sand and very little rock. The pelican were wonderful to watch...and plentiful today along with a mutitude of gulls. Crab shells were prevalent especially in the southern half of the mile. Large cement/conglomerate pieces (7) remain on our beach, also found plastic straws (4), a cigarette lighter, a surfboard leash (ancient and ripped), a bunch of small plastics, 4 pieces of rope (mostly small), a metal piece, 4 dog poop bags that had not been disposed of properly and a squeeze bottle top. All in all, productive and beautiful day on 220!

Conditions

Temperature: 57 F. Cloud Cover: Rain.

Human Activities

Number of people: 10. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 7. Surfing: 3. I think it was a State Parks vehicle that came down onto the beach while I was there although the trash wasn't picked up at the signpost so perhaps not...

Concerns

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 1. Cars/trucks on beach, prohibited: 1.

Notable Wildlife

The pelicans were plentiful!! Lots of gulls on the shore.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 7. 1 COASST tagged bird (red/orange/white), 4 COMU, 1 possible PECO and 1 LIGU

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. Small Harbor seal, first noted last week near north end of beach.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt).