Mile 223 - Beverly Beach, Spencer Creek, Beverly Beach SP - November 1, 2015

Report Details

A beautiful day at the beach. Moderate wind from the southwest at 17 mph. Accessed the Beach at Beverly Beach State Park. Spencer Creek has been diverted by a huge sandbar and is flowing to the south at a rapid pace. Access to the shoreline is restricted west of the creek. Several hundred juvenile gulls were resting, preening, bathing, and playing in the creek on the restricted side of the creek. Small soil mass movement about 3/4 mile south of creek. Large amount of shore pine needles in the drift line south of Spencer Creek for about a 1/4 mile. Small vegetated back beach dunes between 1/4 and 1/2 mile south of Spencer Creek.

Conditions

Temperature: 61 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 5.4 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 28. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 18. Playing in sand: 8. People were enjoying the beach.

Concerns

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Notable Wildlife

About 200 juvenile gulls enjoying the rapids, bathing, and preening (see photograph)

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Styrofoam. Small amount of paper and plastic debris (see photograph)

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Visible retreat of solid bluff. Small debris slide (see photograph)