Mile 50 Report

September 1, 2013
by mvolson

Location:
Curry
Port Orford Heads east of Tichenor Rock, Tichenor Cove
Conditions:
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunny
65° F
Wind:
Calm/Light from the S
Tide Level:
5.0 ft
Humans / Pets:
People:
1
Dogs:
0
Activities:
Fishing:
1
Concerns:
Litter
Disturbances:
Vehicles:
Activity Comments:
One person fishing from a rock accessible from the Port of Port Orford.
Notable Wildlife:
harbor seals, cormorants, gulls, murres, ospreys, oyster catcher
Dead Birds:
Total:
4
Species/names:
common murres--one on beach, others in water. I see dead murres in this area quite often while kayaking; this mornings sightings were not particularly unusual.
Stranded:
Fish & Invertebrates:
Driftline:
Kelp or Algae·Animal casings (e.g. crab, shrimp molt)·Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.)·Shells·Small rocks·Styrofoam·Wood pieces
New Development:
Modifications:
Natural Changes:
Comments:
I did as much beach cleanup as I could, given the capacity of my kayak. There is more work to be done, particularly in the east lobes of Nellies and Tichenor Coves. I will try to get to it before the fall cleanup.
Summary:
Despite being adjacent to the Port of Port Orford, this is one of the most pristine segments of the South Coast.There is a little access to the eastern segment, particularly at low tide, from the Port; also, there are some visitors to the shoreline in Nellies Cove via the Port Orford Heads State Park, but the old steep stairway leading down to the Cove from the site of the former Coast Guard Station is now nearly impassable so recreational usage of the shoreline is light. I toured the mile by kayak, which is the most practical way of observing the shoreline. Nellies and Tichenor Coves accumulate some washed up debris, but I can usually keep up with it through twice-a-year cleanups by kayak.
Other Mile 50 Reports (2)

2018

April 29, 2018 - SRMcMillan
Didn't do watch on mile 51. Used mile 50 instead.  Dove in Nellies Cove. Nellies Cove is a catchment area for marine debri/garbage.
read more

2014

May 17, 2014 - mvolson
Although there has been some residential development above the cliffs at the east end of mile 50, the shoreline is largely inaccessible and remains remarkably wild for a populated area that once had...
read more