Mile 327 Report
Clatsop Plains
January 13, 2021
Today was a welcome respite from the recent heavy rain, high winds, and stormy weather that accompanied the King tides of Jan.
Report Details
Today was a welcome respite from the recent heavy rain, high winds, and stormy weather that accompanied the King tides of Jan. 11th-13th. This afternoon's walk had mild weather, little wind, and cloudy skies. With an outgoing tide, a large stretch of beach was covered in sea foam. The Del Rey beach access road experienced significant sand erosion from the sides of the road where the pavement meets the beach, and loads of woody debris (logs, tree stumps, branches) are now strewn along the road, making access not advisable. A large gate and sign block current vehicular access today. The King tides left an impressive array of debris, both natural and human-caused, along the highest wrack line that I have seen (almost at the very base of the dunes). Along with typical plastic debris (shotgun shells, lighters, soda bottles, bottle caps, single-use plastics from food packaging), I found some unusual items including a rice cooker spoon and a printer ink catridge. Two dead birds washed up on the beach: a juvenile red phalarope and an ancient murrelet. Bird identifications confirmed by iNaturalist.
Conditions
Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Tide Level: 3.8 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 13. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 1. Playing in sand: 9. Sitting: 3. Other Activities: Two individuals riding small motorcycles along the wet sand.. Two cars cruising close to the outgoing tide. One car stopped to pick up a crab float/buoy and take it off the beach.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 4. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 8.
Notable Wildlife
3 surf scoters, 2 western x glaucous winged hybrid gulls
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 2. Juvenile red phalarope- 1 Ancient murrelet- 1
Driftline Content
Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Styrofoam. Large concentration of beach grasses, sea foam, plastic debris, wood pieces, logs, and microplastics.
Natural Changes
Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Erosion of vegetated foredune, Evidence of wave overtopping. High king tides have resulted in newly exposed roots of beach grasses and a steep change in the contour of the edge of the dunes resulting in a sharp 5ft drop off where the beach meets the dunes. Evidence of wave overtopping along Del Rey beach road and nearby dunes.
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