Mile 109 - Whisky Run, Fivemile Pt, south end Merchants Beach - September 22, 2010

Report Details

Light human (9), dog (2) and vehicle (2) use on a sunny, warm Fall day. Two (possibly three) gray whales just beyond the breakers, feeding in the same spot for half an hour or so (see photo.) Seals on offshore rocks as usual. Not much in the way of migrating birds yet -- in fact a few pelicans headed north. Hundreds of Jellies stranded in a driftline of kelp/algae and small rocks. One dead sea lion. Very high sand level at Fivemile Point. Large ridge and runnel system developing between Fivemile and Whisky Run access road.

Conditions

Temperature: 63 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W. Tide Level: 5.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 9. Number of dogs: 2. Photography: 1.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 3. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 2.

Notable Wildlife

2 gray whales feeding in one spot just beyond the surf for at least 30 minutes (see photos). 6 Harbor seals on an offshore rock. Dozens of pelicans in offshore pace-lines, both north and south. Heard but could not spot a noisy Black Oystercatcher.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Hundreds of blue or orange Moon Jellies about 10" in diameter have stranded in the driftline, a few still alive. Also, hundreds of another jelly, probably Red-eye or Bell jelly, about 3" diameter and crystal clear.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Small rocks.