Mile 98 - Bandon State Park, China Creek - November 14, 2008

Report Details

Beautiful, sunny, light wind day. A few gulls passed through. Several flocks of Dunlin and Sanderlings moved with the surf. Least Sandpipers (brown backs, greenish-yellow legs) were in smaller numbers. About 6-7 Snowy Plovers were observed.Driftwood shelter had been constructed north of the China Creek parking access. Evidence of recent fires was around the structure. Trash was mostly ocean-borne (rope, one float, 2 pallets, one broken plastic garbage can (empty), numerous plastic bottles and small pieces, however, the beach was still comparatively clean relative to beaches closer to Bandon. Severely decomposed marine mammal carcass. Shells, kelp/algae, wood pieces and small feathers in driftline. Low human impact (4)-walking with two dogs.

Conditions

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 8.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 4. One dog was leashed; one not. No issues.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2.

Notable Wildlife

Several flocks of Dunlin and Sanderlings moving with the surf. Least Sandpipers in much smaller numbers. About 6-7 Snowy Plovers observed, one with orange leg band.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. Most likely a sea lion carcass about 5-feet long, mostly eaten, rib bones exposed and backbone distributed.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Wood pieces. Small feathers were numerous.

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune.

Actions & Comments

Date of dune erosion not known. Evidence of foredune erosion was frequent on the southern end of the mile. Some of the eroded dunes are 8-15 feet high. Also found evidence of sand overtopping and weighing down the beach grass on the top and backside of the foredune.