Mile 100 - Johnson Creek, Bandon Beach - September 13, 2008

Report Details

A cold northwest wind rendered Mile 100 somewhat unpleasant despite sunshine. Most of the nesting birds--cormorants, Common Murres, gulls, Pigeon Guillemots, Brown Pelicans--were absent, probably headed toward wintering areas. Live birds included two Black Oystercatchers, many cormorants on off-shore islands, a large number of gulls at Johnson Creek and Turkey Vultures flying overhead. Nine dead birds were found: 7 gulls--mostly immatures--1 cormorant, 1 Common Murre. The wrackline consisted of small rocks, a few small sticks, kelp, sea palms, other sea weeds, feathers, broken shells, clumps of mussels, crab and sand shrimp casings. Johnson Creek has formed a large pool at far south end of mile. Moderate human impact (12)- walking with 4 dogs.

Conditions

Temperature: 62 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Strong. Wind Direction: NW.

Human Activities

Number of people: 12. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 12. See "Concerns" above

Concerns

Apparent violations: White pickup with circular insignia on doors drove down on beach near rocks where people were walking. Probably a state-owned vehicle doing something official..

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 5. Cars/trucks on beach, prohibited: 1.

Notable Wildlife

The only thing notable about the wildlife on Mile 100 today was the lack of it. There were few gulls, common murres, cormorants, sanderlings or other sea or shorebirds. Quite a change from 2-3 weeks ago when I last walked this mile. Did see 2 Black Oystercatchers and a few Brown pelicans. There were 50-75 cormorants on far off-shore rocks, and 75 gulls clustered around a large pool that Johnson Creek had flooded at the far south end of Mile 100. Also 4 turkey vultures overhead. Apparently, most of the birds have gone back out to sea or south or wherever it is they go in the fall.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 7. 7 dead gulls1 dead cormorant1 dead common murre

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Small rocks, Wood pieces. More Sea Palms than I have seen before. Also many small rocks.

Man-made Modifications

Dune modification/removal, Stream modification. Mouth of cave beneath "parking lot rock" was nearly filled in by blowing sand. Johnson creek seemed to have change its configuration again, with a large shallow pool at the south end of Mile 100.