Report Details

It was a perfect day on the beach; I only shared it with the birds, which were quite numerous in this hour after high tide. Many sandpipers clustered along the bull kelp in the storm line. Sanderlings were plentiful as well, but in the water line for the most part. I was surprised to see several pelicans offshore; they usually have gone south by now, if memory serves. A few small shorebirds each huddled in human footprints; I couldn't tell whether they were snowy plovers or sanderlings from a distance. Shells, crab casings, a few sea palms, piles of bull kelp, feathers, small rocks, wood pieces, broken sand dollars, jellies of various sizes and some limpets in driftline. Low human impact (0). However, motor bike tracks on a prohibited beach.

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 7.8 feet.

Human Activities

At least 1, possibly 2, motorbikes left tracks from below the China Creek parking area to south of the big sign proclaiming "no motorized vehicles beyond this point" at the plover habitat restoration area.

Vehicles

ATVs/OHVs on beach, prohibited: 1.

Notable Wildlife

Tons of sandpipers clustered along bull kelp in the storm-tide line and sanderlings were numerous feeding in the outgoing tideline. Some pelicans fishing outside the breakers. A few gulls and crows hung out on sand or logs.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Many molts of baby dungeness crab; broken sand dollars, mussels, jellies of various sizes, some limpets.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. A few sea palms, piles of bull kelp, feathers.

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All Mile 97 Reports

Showing 8 of 70 reports

Mile 97

December 8, 2013

A nearly nonexistent driftline with just a few Chrysaora jellies and a few small rocks.

D Bilderback

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 97

June 9, 2013

A light diftline of a few Postelsia, some Fucus, Ulva, Hymenena and Nereocystis, crab molts, broken Sand Dollars, jellies, the Ctenophore, Pleurobrachia, the Tunicate, Salpa maxima and Phyllospadix, surfgrass.

D Bilderback

Mile 97

March 19, 2013

Sparse driftline of small rocks, a few shells and broken Sand Dollars, one clump of Bull Kelp (Nereocystis) and a few strands of Macrocystis.

D Bilderback

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 97

November 24, 2012

European beachgrass dominated the driftline.

D Bilderback

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 97

September 18, 2012

Shells, rocks, crab carapaces, a few kelp/algae, wood, green phytoplankton scum, broken sand dollars in driftline.

D Bilderback

Mile 97

June 17, 2012

Light driftline of many Ctenophores, small rocks, a few shells and crab carapaces, one Sea Star and pieces of the flowering plant, Lasthenia maritima.

D Bilderback

Mile 97

December 30, 2011

Light driftline with fresh water aquatic plants- Myriophyllum (Water Milfoil), terrestrial plant debris-stems, leaves and needles and saltwater plants, Phyllospadix (Surfgrass)and Eelgrass, Zostera.

D Bilderback

Mile 97

September 19, 2011

The beach consisted of a high ridge of accumulated sand with a six degree slope and lagoons in the runnel.

D Bilderback