Mile 303 Report

January 23, 2022
by shattuckf

Location:

Tillamook

Oswald West SP, Smuggler Cove, Short Sand Beach

Conditions:

Sunday 12:00 PM

Sunny

52° F

Wind:

Calm/Light from the S

Tide Level:

1.8 ft

Humans / Pets:

People:

300

Dogs:

Activities:

Walking / Running:

115

Playing in surf:

Playing in sand:

Sitting:

Rockhunting:

Tidepooling:

Surfing:

Windsurfing:

Kayaking:

Fishing:

Concerns:

Litter

Disturbances:

Vehicles:

Cars/Trucks parking:

124

ATVs/OHVs parking:

RVs/Buses parking:

RVs/Buses parking: 0

Cars/Trucks on beach, allowed:

ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed:

Cars/Trucks on beach, prohibited:

ATVs/OHVs on beach, prohibited:

Activity Comments:

Nearly everyone there was there to surf. While only a few were in the water at a time, 3/4s of the people there had wetsuits and a board. Many people brought their dogs, more dogs than I have seen before at this beach.

Notable Wildlife:

no wildlife seen whatsoever

Dead Birds:

Total:

Signs of oil:

Entanglement:

Stranded:

Total:

Fish & Invertebrates:

n/a

Driftline:

Kelp or Algae·Wood pieces·Land-based debris (picnics, etc.)·Plastic pellets·Styrofoam

Driftline had very little (but some) kelp along the southern end of the mile, and no algae. Most of the driftline comprised of small plastics, some styrofoam, just as much as there were pine needles and wood pieces.

New Development:

none

Modifications:

none

Natural Changes:

No notable new developments or changes. The cliff-sides along this mile have been experiencing erosion for quite some time, but there have been no significant events causing change.

Comments:

n/a

Summary:

It was a beautiful and sunny day out on Short Sand Beach and in Oswald SP. There was not much of a breeze on the beach and it was warm for a January day on the Oregon coast. Beach was fairly packed with surfers and beachgoers and there was much more human debris/litter along the beach and hiking paths than seen in the past coming out here to survey (usually it's a very clean beach! today not so much). Most notably, there was more plastic in the driftline than usual for this beach. No wildlife to be seen, including birds, which seems to be common for this beach when people are here. Many dogs, though. The numbers for the amount of people walking/on the beach are not exact; many people were coming and going throughout the time we were there, but there were still quite a lot of people.

Other Mile 303 Reports (14)

2022

December 5, 2022 - jessejones

A steel platform washed up on Oswald West about a month ago. Volunteers are picking up the foam pieces that have broken away from the structure and state parks' staff is working on a plan for removal...

August 14, 2022 - jessejones

This morning CoastWatch hosted an educational walk with Stewart Schultz - 18 people were a part of the walk, but others joined as the session went on (for about 3 hours). Low tide morning, super...

2021

November 16, 2021 - DeborahP

We observed typical post rain/storm erosion and debris. The wrack line was surprisingly clean of trash. The concrete dock is becoming buried under sand.

August 23, 2021 - angela whitlock

July 22, 2021 - shattuckf

2019

August 19, 2019 - jessejones

Sunny, warm day at Shorties with a mild crowd of families and surfers. Most notable as always is marine debris including microplastics in the sand and in the wrackline. Large log covered with...

2012

March 4, 2012 - LisaL

A plastic wrapper with Japanese writing was in the drift line. The south cliff looks look there has been some erosion over winter. Fallen trees were present along the side of the cliff. Morphology of...

2011

December 4, 2011 - LisaL

Large number of people; signficant marine debris.

December 1, 2011 - LisaL

Observed nothing but ordinary recreational activities.

October 23, 2011 - LisaL

It was a fairly typical day at Oswald. Overcast, people surfing, and people with their dogs. The afternoon was busy with tourists, but as it got later in the day, there were mostly surfers left at...

June 5, 2011 - LisaL

It was warm and calm. It was very cloudy with a little fog. The air was still. Several tiny fish, about an inch long were in the water in the swash zone. The beach looked clean, I did not see the...

April 8, 2011 - LisaL

Deceased young 40-45lbs harbor seal on beach near high tide line at south end.

March 19, 2011 - LisaL

Trail up to Devils Cauldron was in good condition, but muddy. Suspension bridge showed some sign of wear and graffiti was present at the bridge. Several plastic water bottles were on the rocks off...

2009

October 9, 2009 - beachmike

I didn't see any signs of man-made or major natural changes to this section of the coast. Despite the fact that this is such a heavily used beach, I didn't find any garbage. The people seemed...