Mile 102 Report
Coquille River, South Jetty, Lighthouse
October 12, 2012
It was a quiet, pleasant walk heading north of the Coquille River Lighthouse.
Report Details
It was a quiet, pleasant walk heading north of the Coquille River Lighthouse. Gulls were gathered in the sand by the jetty while dozens of pelicans, several cormorants and a few Sanderlings flew about. Bull kelp, shell fragments, crab molt and small stones were notable in the driftline. Two other people were out and about, one rock-hunting. Three dead Common Murres were in the high-tide line, as were two marine mammals. One was definitely dead and mostly buried in sand just north of the lighthouse beach parking lot. The other I couldn't determine. It was brown, about 6 feet long and showed no signs of injury. It did not appear to be breathing but had its eyes intact. I didn't want to disturb it by closer inspection, in case it was alive. But it showed no reaction to my inspection within 5 feet.
Conditions
Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 3.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 2. Walking or running: 1.
Notable Wildlife
Dozens of pelicans flying offshore in their quest for fish; some cormorants doing likewise. Gulls gathered on sand beside jetty; a few Sanderlings flitting about.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 3. No bands on Common Murres.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 2. One possibly alive, possibly a sea lion.The other a probable dead harbor seal. Both in the half-mile north of the Coquille River jetty.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Small rocks.
beachnut
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