Mile 108 Report
South Whisky Run Beach
September 15, 2007
Very large sand dunes which made it difficult to traverse and pick up trash.
Report Details
Very large sand dunes which made it difficult to traverse and pick up trash. Might be alot of debris under the sand dunes. The mile north of 108 (109?) has changed considerably. Large rocks seem to have disappeared (covered by sand?) and even the large rocks out in the surf seem to have diminished by half. Kelp/algae, shells, animal casings, small rocks, ocean-based debris and styrofoam in driftline. Sea gulls feeding on several washed-up crabs. Many shorebirds foraging at surfline and moving in response to humans. Brown Pelicans feeding in surf. Turkey Vultures feeding on Steller's Sea Lion carcass. Dead Cormorant, Common Murre and gulls on the beach. Large Concrete/styrofoam boat docks on beach. Some algae noticed in pools under the golf course, but water looked clean and clear. Alot of small debris, broken glass, etc. in areas where there had obviously been a party or picnic. Fireworks also. Moderate human impact (2)-8 walking, 2 playing in surf, 6 sitting, 4 taking pictures and 4 windsurfing. 6 dogs.
Conditions
Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 20. Number of dogs: 6. Walking or running: 8. Playing in surf: 2. Sitting: 6. Photography: 4. Windsurfing: 4.
Concerns
Litter
Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 2. RVs/Buses parking: 1. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 4. ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 1.
Notable Wildlife
Several vultures feeding on Steller's Sea Lion carcass. Many shorebirds (sandpipers?). Flock of brown pelicans feeding in the surf.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 4. Cormorant, sea gull, murre(?) and a few others we couldn't identify.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. One large Steller's Sea Lion just past entrance to Whiskey Run beach. Vultures feeding.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Unusual concentration. Several crabs washed up in surf and the sea gulls were feasting on them. No indication of what might have 'killed' them?
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, 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, Styrofoam. Some algae in pools below golf course. Two HUGE chunks of concrete/styrofoam on beach too large to remove.
Man-made Modifications
Dune modification/removal. Very large dunes and sandhills to traverse.
Report Images
K Fassett
CoastWatcher
All Mile 108 Reports
Mile 108
South Whisky Run Beach
There wasn't an excessive amount of trash and only found a few glass bottles that appeared to have foreign markings (Japanese?
Anonymous
Mile 108
South Whisky Run Beach
We expected to find a lot of debris, tsunami and otherwise, because it had been quite some time since we made the trip to the beach, but to our surprise and amazement there was very little trash of any kind.
K Fassett
Mile 108
South Whisky Run Beach
We were expecting alot more trash because it had been some time between cleanup(s) but it was just the usual .
K Fassett
Mile 108
South Whisky Run Beach
As previously reported, there was an unusual amount of trash and debris, esp.
K Fassett
Mile 108
South Whisky Run Beach
The amount of garbage seemed less than usual.
K Fassett
Mile 108
South Whisky Run Beach
12 people walking, 1 dog not on leash,few wildlife, only a few Snowy Plovers,piles of trash: plastic, rope, pillow, part of a dock covered in trash.
Michelle
Mile 108
South Whisky Run Beach
Nothing too unusual except an unusual number of bottle caps, and short pieces of rope.
K Fassett