Report Details

This was a beautiful, sunny, and very windy walk along the beach, out and back. There were many people camping (saw at least 14 tents) along the way on mile 287, but only saw 1 person and tent on mile 288. As noted, there were 46 vehicles in parking lot around 4:30 pm and still 36 vehicles near 9 pm. With Tillamook County allowing camping on Bayocean Spit, the activity is greatly increased although not specifically on mile 288.The shoreline seemed unchanged but there appeared to be some sand build-up on the beach. Driftline was relatively clean with light, evenly placed piles of seaweed and small stones. Most notable wildlife were the birds: Western, Western-Glaucous-winged hybrid (so-called Olympic) Gulls, Heerman's Gull, California Gulls, Semi-palmated Plovers, and 1 Western Sandpiper.The beach was cleaner looking than previous visits, perhaps because sand was covering debris. Saw little evidence of plastic, styrofoam, or other kinds of human debris. Overall, a very brisk (into the wind) but satisfying walk.

Conditions

Temperature: 66 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Strong. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 7.2 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 1. Other Activities: Setting up a tent and campsite. 45 vehicles plus 1 horse van in the parking lot is a record number for me. What was even more surprising is that around 9 pm, there were still 36 vehicles in the lot, most of them belonging to campers. This is a clear indication that Tillamook County's decision a few years ago to allow camping on Bayocean Spit is having an effect. I hope the county is carefully monitoring human activity as the number of visitors is greatly increasing.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 45. RVs/Buses parking: 1.

Notable Wildlife

Birds of note included 10 Semi-palmated Plovers, 1 Western Sandpiper, approx. 25 Western or Western-Glaucous-winged hybrids, with about half juveniles, 3 California Gulls (1 juvenile), and 1 Heerman's Gull.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Small rocks.

Report Images

Report Images

Share this post

All Mile 288 Reports

Showing 8 of 56 reports

Mile 288

September 24, 2023

The weather is definitely turning.

SchankK

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 288

September 10, 2023

It was a beautifully calm, warm, sunny day along mile 288.

SchankK

Mile 288

January 29, 2023

There were 6 or more plovers and large accumulations of driftwood (both along the base and on top of the foredune cutbank).

SchankK

Mile 288

May 21, 2022

It was a beautiful, warm, sunny Saturday with a moderate north wind.

SchankK

Mile 288

January 17, 2022

It was great to see two separate families picking up beach trash/debris in the driftline from the most recent storms including in Mile 288!

SchankK

Mile 288

December 23, 2021

There was clear indications of active foredune erosion with visible cutbanks (see photo) and significant debris.

SchankK

Mile 288

February 24, 2015

Mid-winter day that seemed like spring.

YaakovM

Mile 288

October 2, 2014

Beautiful early fall afternoon.

YaakovM