Mile 109 - Whisky Run, Fivemile Pt, south end Merchants Beach - January 3, 2011

Report Details

South of Fivemile Point the sand level was typical winter: clean, flat, low sand lets waves get right up to base of bluff. North of the point, a 3-4 acre stretch of intertidal beach covered with several inches of rounded and polished gravel/pebbles/large sand (photo). As usual: gulls, cormorants, Sanderlings, turnstones, the resident Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoter and Harbor Seal. Light use by humans (8) and their dogs (2) enjoying the cloudless, calm, warm afternoon.

Conditions

Temperature: 54 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 0.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 8. Number of dogs: 2. Photography: 1. Other Activities: hotdogs and campfire: 2.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 5. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 3.

Notable Wildlife

1 seal watching me from water. The winter cast of birds: lots of gulls, a pair of Harlequin Ducks, 2 turnstones (Ruddy?), Surf Scoter, a flock of over 100 Sanderlings, cormorants on offshore rocks.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

A few sea stars cast up but nothing unusual.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks.