Mile 106 - Bullards Beach, west of Fahys Lake - October 13, 2007

Report Details

This was our inaugural trip on our adopted mile. Since no reports had previously been filed, we came with camera, notepad, trash bags and provisions. We approached from the south at Bullard's beach, still nearly a 2-mile trek before getting to our mile and stopped within sight of Cut Creek which is in Mile 107. Wonderful day, clear, calm. Sanderlings were in the hundreds. Gulls flew over the area to congregate at Cut Creek where there were several hundred drinking and rinsing in the fresh water. Seaweed piles were on the beach from storms 3 days before, but they were not as numerous as miles 104 and 105. Only two people were seen, driving legally but in the surfline disturbing the Sanderlings. One Snowy Plover was seen. One Northern Fulmar was dead at the surfline. The beach and dunes appeared natural. Plants other than beach grass were very rare. Two areas of the dunes were lower and collected large amounts of driftwood. In one of these areas at the southern end of the mile, a 10x10 structure had been built out of the wood. Trash was more prevalent in that area. We hauled out about 30 pounds from the mile, mostly plastic bottles washed in from the ocean. More waste remains. Interestingly, we found an intact 12-inch, 500-watt light bulb from the Ushio company and an empty rusted tin of crackers (both with Japanese markings).

Conditions

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 4.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 2. Other Activities: Driving on beach. Truck (Ford F-250 2-tone gray, OR Lic # OMB001 or DMB001) with 2 people driving on surf line disturbed feeding birds. 25 MPH speed limit was observed. Other evidence of 2-3 vehicles previously traversing the area, all within allowed boundaries.

Concerns

Litter

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 1.

Notable Wildlife

60-70 Sanderlings in a group huddled preening and resting; numerous other groups of 15-30 actively feeding a surfline; one Snowy Plover took off from mid-beach; only a few 12" Moon jellies; a few seaweed piles were present from a storm 3 days earlier.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. Immature Western Gull?

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks.

Man-made Modifications

No evidence

Natural Changes

No evidence

Actions & Comments

No actions taken on vehicle. Driftwood shelter was observed at the south end of the mile. Concentration of trash was greater there. Horse tracks were observed coming from the dunes; access is apparently from the Bullard's Horse camp 2 miles south.