Report Details

The smell of the rotting velella was the most noticeable thing on this survey. They had arrived earlier and were now covered with blowing sand. The sand had a darkish color in the patches of heavy concentrations. The weather was blustery and there were no other people within miles. Even the birds were scarce. The big winter swells did erode into the newer formed vegetated dunes. But erosion is not an issue. Earlier west winds brought lots of ocean based debris onto the beach. Some group had already collected most of it.

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.

Human Activities

Cool, blustery day with frequent rain/hail showers kept spring break visitors enjoying the coast from drier locales.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 1.

Notable Wildlife

Notable lack of birds. None approaching the jetty and only a handful of gulls flying near the jetty. A couple of bald eagles were circling high above the jetty.

Beached Birds

Species/names: On a more thorough COASST survey a week earlier on Mile 286, no birds were found. It is fairly rare to find zero birds on a Bayocean Spit survey.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Velella velella. Very large deposits of purplish goo. Most of it was covered with blowing sand.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt).

New Development

none

Man-made Modifications

none

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune. Noted this in Dec also. Mile 289 had little erosion in previous years.

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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