Report Details

I was surprised to find most of Mile 289 posted as off limits due to it being a nesting bird area.  Access is limited to the wet sand.  I pay attention to Bayocean Spit, but I did not see or hear of any public  meeting regarding this.  I would have liked to have given input.  I get the reason and support the concept, but I have a big disagreement with the details.  The sign indicates that dogs are not allowed on the mile.  But people and horses can walk the wet sand.  Our dogs has accompanied us on Coast Watch and COASST surveys for nearly 20 years.  We had no idea that the beach was restricted until we arrived.  We respected the zone and walked 150 ft or more west of the markers.  The dog was in voice control and never entered the restricted area.  But we were still violating some type of regulation in order to complete the survey and reach the jetty.  This type of over- regulation plays right into the hands of the AM talk radio crowd that whine about environmental regulations.  The Bayocean Spit loop hike is featured in multiple publications, but it would be off-limits if hikers wanted to bring the family dog.  If horses can walk in the lower areas, it seems that dogs under control should be allowed.  I could even support leashes required.

Conditions

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 6.0 feet.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 6.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. common murre, fresh find at the surf zone. Our COASST surveys on Mile 286 also show few birds washing up.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

none

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). crab float with considerable rope was the only notable item.

New Development

Mile 289 is now posted and partially fenced as a protected area for nesting birds.

Man-made Modifications

none

Natural Changes

typical summer vegetation growing in upper soft sand zone.

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All Mile 289 Reports

Showing 8 of 53 reports

Mile 289

September 20, 2021

This mile is not surveyed 4 times a year since it became a designated bird nesting area.

ollikainen

Mile 289

December 24, 2020

There is no trace of nesting bird protection.

ollikainen

Mile 289

September 21, 2020

September 15 ended the nesting bird restrictions on mile 289.

ollikainen

Mile 289

August 1, 2020

I saw so many different types of birds along the jetty, I'm no bird expert but I thought I saw pelicans, herons, cormorants, and sea gulls.

EJD

Mile 289

March 20, 2020

Mile 289 is again restricted due to bird nesting.

ollikainen

Mile 289

December 5, 2019

This survey was all about the jelly fish that covered the most recent wrack areas.

ollikainen

Mile 289

June 16, 2019

This is a partial survey.

ollikainen

Mile 289

March 21, 2019

The signage is up again keeping all dogs off Mile 289.

ollikainen