Mile 325 - Clatsop Plains, Gearhart south - August 3, 2008 | Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

Report Details

Very little man made trash! Very surprised at the extent of the beach that has been taken over by the sea. The birds were noticably absent from the northern and middle sections of the mile, but mostly they were in the water in the inlet in the southern area. Again, we were surprised how different it all looked since we started reporting early last year.

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N.

Human Activities

Number of people: 50. Number of dogs: 20. Walking or running: 40. Playing in surf: 10. Playing in sand: 10. Sitting: 10. no tire tracks or vehicles visible

Concerns

Apparent violations: no apparent violations.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 6.

Notable Wildlife

perhaps 50 gulls & 50 pelicans only at the southern tip (and inlet) of our mile

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

seemed to be typical for our mile - scattered crab parts (maybe 75 pieces)

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt).

Man-made Modifications

Dune modification/removal, Sand removal.

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff.

Actions & Comments

At the southern end of the mile (at the inlet area) perhaps 50 yards or so of beach has disappeared compared to the last two years) We were able to barely pass to the end of the tip of the peninsula, and then on the way back the sea had already eaten away at the passage. We had to go up onto the grassy cliff to get back to the north part of the beach. See attached picture - the water in the background used to be all sandy and grassy beach.