Mile 101 - Face Rock, Bandon Beach, Coquille Point - December 2, 2011

Report Details

Nice calm Friday at low tide, three people walking on a sunny day. Found a 5-foot juvenile Northern Elephant Seal stranded high on the beach. Animal was moving flippers and its head, but ceased about 45 minutes later though still breathing. Reported sighting to marine mammal stranding network; signs were posted. Storms and high tides have cleaned the beach. Some dune erosion high and more large logs are present. Some sea palm kelp was present. (Observation on Dec. 5th showed movement of the seal to the base of the bluff.)

Conditions

Temperature: 45 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 3.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 3. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 3.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2.

Notable Wildlife

Stranded juvenile Northern Elephant Seal, sanderlings (had not seen them for awhile)

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 2. adult Western gulls

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. Juvenile Northern Elephant Seal, alive, stressed, moving flippers and head at about 11:30. 45 minutes later on our return, breathing continued, but movement had ceased. Subsequent observations showed movement to the base of the bluff.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Small rocks, Wood pieces.

Actions & Comments

Called marine mammal stranding office and filed a report. Signs were posted around a 50-yard perimeter.