Mile 326 - Clatsop Plains, Gearhart Golf Course, Gearhart north - March 31, 2022

Report Details

On a sunny, afternoon walk at Gearhart Ocean Beach, I observed 8 dogs and 7 humans, walking and sitting on the beach, enjoying the mild weather. The tide was fairly high at 5ft with little exposed beach. Notable wildlife sightings included 6 Bald Eagles and 4 Common Ravens scavenging on a pinniped carcass. The Bald Eagles included individuals in various stages of development, identifiable by distinct plumage characteristics. At one point, 5 Bald Eagles were perched in proximity to each other on a log above the high tide line. A large group of approximately 300 Sanderlings were foraging in the surf, associating with 2 Dunlin. In addition, along the high tide wrack line, I observed a dead albatross.

Conditions

Temperature: 48 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 5.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 8. Number of dogs: 7. Walking or running: 5. Sitting: 3.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. 1 dead albatross, photographed below.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. Observed one large dead seal, photographed below, scavenged by Common Ravens and Bald Eagles.

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.). Wrack line consisted of crab shells, pieces of drift wood, and plastic debris.