Report Details

Rather cloudy today, which could explain why we saw so few folks. On the seaward side of the spit, the only wildlife observed were a couple of Western gulls following us as we collected trash. On the bayside, however, we saw Common merganser, Bufflehead, Northern Pintails, Mallards, White-winged Scoters, Surf Scoters, Western gulls, crows, and Great Blue Heron. We actually observed a crow with a fish in its bill being chased by a gull...one wonders if the fish first belonged to the gull? Found a dead Fork-tailed Storm-petrel and a dead newborn Harbor seal (photos). Also, the temporary signs warning folks to stay away from the seals are in bad shape and need to be replaced. At the extreme north end of the spit, observed over 100 Harbor seals hauled out on the beach...no distress or agitation, quite calm in fact.

Conditions

Temperature: 48 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW.

Human Activities

Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 5.

Notable Wildlife

On seaward side of spit, only a couple of Western gulls following us as we collected trash; on the bayside, Western gulls, crows, Buffleheads, Common mergansers, White-winged scoters, Surf scoters, Mallard ducks, Northern Pintail ducks, and Great Blue heron.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 4. Two Western gulls, one Western grebe, and one Fork-tailed storm-petrel (photo included).

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. Not stranded, but noted a dead, newborn Harbor seal being eaten by gull (photo included).

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Wood pieces. Actually, beach fairly clean today.

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All Mile 239 Reports

Showing 8 of 87 reports

Mile 239

November 12, 2023

Not a bad fall day for a walk with our out-of-town visitors, but walking the beach was impossible due to the high tide and big waves, which were reaching the beach grass area and bouncing large pieces of driftwood around.

ORbeach

Mile 239

July 12, 2023

As nice a summer day as we get here on the coast.

ORbeach

Mile 239

April 30, 2023

After a winter and spring of horrible weather, we finally got out to survey our mile on a mild day.

ORbeach

Mile 239

November 20, 2022

Sunny, calm day.

ORbeach

Mile 239

August 6, 2022

Found a dead sea lion on the beach at beach access #50.

ORbeach

Mile 239

July 31, 2022

A warm calm summer's day.

ORbeach

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 239

March 28, 2022

Lots of gulls and several seals playing in the surf.

mlbutowitsch

Mile 239

March 10, 2022

A calm, cool day with just a few high clouds.

ORbeach