Mile 330 Report

June 21, 2022
by LEWI

Location:

Clatsop

Sunset Beach, Sunset Lake

Conditions:

Tuesday 2:45 PM

Sunny

66° F

Wind:

Moderate from the NW

Tide Level:

2.0 ft

Humans / Pets:

People:

Dogs:

Activities:

Walking / Running:

Playing in surf:

Playing in sand:

Sitting:

Kite flying-4 people

Concerns:

Litter·Climbing bluffs/seastacks

Disturbances:

Vehicles:

Cars/Trucks parking:

Cars/Trucks on beach, allowed:

Activity Comments:

1 RV on beach

Notable Wildlife:

seagulls, crows

Dead Birds:

Stranded:

Fish & Invertebrates:

Driftline:

Small rocks·Kelp or Algae·Shells·Animal casings (e.g. crab, shrimp molt)·Wood pieces·Land-based debris (picnics, etc.)·Plastic pellets·Styrofoam·Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.)

New Development:

Modifications:

Natural Changes:

Comments:

Summary:

Today the NPS crew joined the hybrid beach grass training with Risa Askerooth from Oregon State University. We learned how to identify four grasses and how to upload our findings on the iNaturalist app and specifically the project, Hybrid Beachgrass Hunt: American beachgrass, European beachgrass, the native beachgrass and the hybrid. An exciting find on this training was a Peziza ammophila, a mushroom also known as a Dune Cup or Sand Tulip. This was a new find for Lewis and Clark National Historic Park's species list!

NPS crew learning about hybrid beach grass and picking up trash!

Peziza ammophila or Sand Tulip

Just north of the vehicle entrance, in the dunes
June 21, 2022
Identifying grasses by the ligule. This is an Ammophila arenaria, European beachgrass

Just north of the vehicle beach entrance in the dunes
Identifying grasses by the ligule. This is the Ammophila hybrid

Just north of the vehicle beach entrance in the dunes

Other Mile 330 Reports (8)

2022

June 1, 2022 - LEWI

Conducted a NOAA marine debris survey today with the CoastWatch coordinator and a group from the Northwest Youth Corps. Also picked up trash from outside of the survey area, along the mile.

March 21, 2022 - LEWI

Today was a publicized event for a beach cleanup, and we picked up 4 bags of trash and a tire along mile. Parking lot area and just beyond dunes from parking area were notated as having lots trash...

2021

December 21, 2021 - LEWI

Picked up multiple bags of trash mostly stryofoam, some rope. Fires were out by end of survey. There was a driftwood shelter built into the dune - picture included.

December 3, 2021 - LEWI

All is well.

2020

July 9, 2020 - sultanym

I drove this mile in my vehicle while birdwatching. Notable dead animal sightings included a dead elk being scavenged by turkey vultures (see photos below), a dead harbor seal being eaten by turkey...

2010

June 9, 2010 - Simonetal

kite cart driving on beach near dune base.

2008

June 18, 2008 - alkarbeck

Normally we see far more people on the beach at this time but the clamming season is temporarily closed due to toxins. We picked up a lot of trash consisting mostly of plastic bottles.

March 16, 2008 - alkarbeck

Nothing unusual these past months. Our area allows driving on the beach and we have many dog walkers. We have picked up a lot of trash in the last month of which most is plastic.