Mile 325 Report

July 19, 2017
by dicknfamily

Location:
Clatsop
Clatsop Plains, Gearhart south
Conditions:
Wednesday
Humans / Pets:
People:
3
Dogs:
3
Activities:
Walking / Running:
3
Concerns:
Disturbances:
Vehicles:
Activity Comments:
Notable Wildlife:
At approx 11 am, viewed 2-3 breaching gray whales just beyond the breakers, maybe 250 yards out. At 5:30 pm, viewed several gray whales (approx 6) in the same area, just offshore from the D Street trail. They were breaching head first or their backs, spouting 1-2 at a time.
Dead Birds:
Total:
2
Stranded:
Fish & Invertebrates:
Driftline:
Animal casings (e.g. crab, shrimp molt)·Wood pieces
New Development:
Modifications:
Natural Changes:
Comments:
Summary:

Another beautiful day in Gearhart at mile 325, amazing to see the gray whales migrating through and spending the better part of the day just offshore.  In the last few weeks I've enjoyed sighting bald eagles (including 2 pairs in close proximity about a week ago), a post-partum female elk (which was subsequently darted and relocated along with her calf to God's Valley off highway 53 - this after charging a dog and owner - see previous Dispatch), and now gray whales.

  • July 19, 2017
  • July 14, 2017
Other Mile 325 Reports (16)

2021

March 30, 2021 - jayredbt
Beautiful evening. Saw one bald eagle at the estuary. Side of estuary has eroded significantly this year and now you have to scramble up the sandy bluff to walk around the edge of the estuary. Sadly...
read more

2020

May 21, 2020 - dicknfamily
In addition to the usual dungeness crab and razor clam shells, I spotted a clutch of squid eggs (see photos) towards the northern end of Mile 325.
read more
March 2, 2020 - dicknfamily
Windy, rainy day in Gearhart. Spotted three bald eagles sitting together on the beach, an adult and two juveniles.  See photos.
read more
  • bald eagles
January 18, 2020 - sultanym
Today, I spent one hour walking mile 325 with the primary purpose of birdwatching. I observed 6 Western Snowy Plovers foraging along the low-tide line near a large group of Sanderlings. The official...
read more
  • South end of mile 325, looking North of Necanicum River

2019

December 9, 2019 - dicknfamily
read more
November 26, 2019 - dicknfamily
Several mushrooms species in the dune forest area immediately east of the Mile 325. See photos.
read more
November 17, 2019 - dicknfamily
Sea lion or large seal carcass on Gearhart beach between D Street trail and Pacific Way trail. See attached photo.
read more

2017

July 21, 2017 - dicknfamily
read more
July 15, 2017 - dicknfamily
For the past two weeks (approx July 1-15) I've been walking twice a day between the D. Street trail south along the beach at Mile 325, around the bend to Little Beach over the Necanicum river estuary...
read more
  • Bald Eagle

2009

September 23, 2009 - williamjune
Beach clean and uncrowded on this mid week walk. Most distinguishing items are many dead herring like fish washed up at the high tide line and the northward meander of the Necanicum river which has...
read more
April 11, 2009 - BeachCats
Major beach erosion continues, as well as shifting land shapes. Very interesting! Not surprised since there are no barriers such as driftwood or boulders to stop the natural wave erosion. Last time...
read more
  • Major natural erosion since 2 years ago! From this vantage point, it used to be all land - maybe 20 feet taller with lots of beach grass and occasional small trees.
  • Natural erosion since there are no barriers. Not sure if upper sandy grassy areas are bird nesting sights. ??? Some pretty rough waves could wipe them out fairly easily since its just sand & grass.
  • Just a pretty picture that show erosion. Log may be a danger, but aren't all logs a danger on the coast?

2008

November 29, 2008 - BeachCats
Lots of wave action erosion since 2007! See diagram of peninsula. Red signifies are that is missing now since 2007. Very interesting how much chnage has happened. Lots of rolling sand hills with...
read more
  • Red shows what has eroded since 2007
  • Peninsula broken by wave action
  • Lots of shoreline oil looking substance someone told me was actually algae
  • Shoreline enchroached on driftwood fort by about 75 yards since 2007.
August 3, 2008 - BeachCats
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...
read more
  • Usually, all the water area in the background has been sandy beach
  • Sand eroding into the water, as we watched! Beach passage was eliminated.
February 16, 2008 - BeachCats
Overall we saw very few birds this time, but we usually see a lot of birds. There was a lot of erosion all along the beach.
read more
  • Usually it's a gentle slope down into the beach
  • This is what happened to the fort that we mentioned. It will probably be rebuilt by kids in the summer. It is still a danger. We should probably take away some driftwood still there.

2007

August 11, 2007 - BeachCats
The most interesting thing was the large group of seagulls. It was a beautiful quiet day, with no major concerns.
read more
June 2, 2007 - BeachCats
We saw very little driftwood, but many old campfires in the sand. At the South end of our mile we saw a large fort that someone made that had a mattress inside of it that is very dangerous. Only...
read more
  • It has a black head with a white stomach (or body)
  • Looks dangerous for children