Mile 104 - Bullards Beach west of the Campground - April 14, 2010

Report Details

Eight people and 1 unleashed dog were out on my mile this overcast morning. The people were mostly rock hunting. High surf and west winds brought in an abundance of litter, much of it glass and plastic bottles. The grassy dunes between the northern beach access off the parking lot and the big NO VEHICLE sign have been heavily eroded by high surf of late. One dead cow (spine, hooves, back fur) in the high-tide line. Two lively flocks of Sanderlings foraged in the waterline; 6 Kildeer mined the sand among the logs along the high line; 2 unknown seabirds of gull size hung out near the cow carcass. Several log structures were on the beach over the hill from the parking lot.

Conditions

Temperature: 40 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 2.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 8. Number of dogs: 1. Fishing: 1.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 4.

Notable Wildlife

Two flocks of Sanderlings in the wet sand; 2 unknown birds about gull size near cow body; 6 Kildeers in the logs on the high line.

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Styrofoam. lots of glass and plastic bottles, other litter

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Evidence of wave overtopping.

Actions & Comments

High surf erosion is most evident between the northern beach access off the parking lot and the MOTORIZED VEHICLES PROHIBITED sign. This area frequently has had deep wave incursions in the 11 years I've observed this stretch, but this year it has been much more serious.