Mile 238 - Salishan Spit, North Lagoon, Siletz Bay - August 26, 2017

Report Details

It was a beautiful, clear day to walk along mile 238. Once again, the landscape of this beautiful mile has changed, more flat than on previous walks On this day, there was more bird activity, a few dead cormorats, and a few other dead birds that I could not identify, and a dead sculpin on the beach. There were green plants growing on the beach that I had not seen in past months. The most unusual activity and sighting, were two fort-like structures built out of large pieces of driftwood. It appeared as if some individual(s) was occupying both of the structures, at least for the day. There were many bags outside one structure. There was a sign "Potty" with an arrow pointing in one direction. I wondered if I happened upon a beach camp. One person walking on the beach told me the structures were "forts" built by kids, although some adults were occupying the "forts".

Conditions

Temperature: 62 F. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: N.

Human Activities

Number of people: 10. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 5. Playing in surf: 3. Sitting: 2. This is a more remote part of the beach, with few people out on this beautiful, clear morning. Most people were walking, with a few children playing in the surf.

Concerns

Driftwood removal

Apparent violations: There were two structures built from driftwood at the north end of mile 238, away from the last group of homes and off the beach There was an adult inside one of the structures with clothing and bags left outside the structure. In the other structure, an adult was laying in front of the structure. I asked someone on the beach if they were aware of the driftwood structures and they responded that it was probably some children that built them..

Notable Wildlife

Numerous groups (15 -25 in groups) of very small sandpiper-like birds with white bands around their necks and darkish heads. I tried to make more ID observations and take pictures, but the shorebirds took off flying to the right, then banking to the left, landing further away. I had not seen these many birds on the mile before. There were also seagulls and a few vultures.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 4. 2 cormorants, and a few unidentified birds

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

one sculpin

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces. Mile 238 lacks a lot of the trash that is found on many beaches with public access. Most of the items found on past visits were washed up on the shore, with the exception of plastic water, beverage bottles left behind. On this day, I found a rather pristine beach compared to previous visits. There were few pieces of styrofoam, plastics, hardly any fishline or pieces of netting. There were even fewer plastic and glass beverage bottles.

Natural Changes

The beach landscape has changed a bit since a few months ago, and looked more washed out and flat.