Mile 110 - Merchants Beach, Seven Devils State Wayside - November 10, 2018

Report Details

Since this is my first mile report, please tell me what more I can write that will be significant. I have added photos of the sea lion and the starfish.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: N.

Human Activities

Number of people: 17. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 17. All of the folks on the beach were walking - all I saw were not out long because of cold wind and blowing sand. Dogs were all off-leash. They were not harassing any wildlife.

Concerns

Apparent violations: none.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 6.

Notable Wildlife

Gulls and a few sandpipers.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. A sea lion was dead along drift line about 1/3 of way South in mile 110. Looked to have been dead for quite a long time. Fur had been eaten off visible fin and flippers. A large opening of about 2 ft. X 1 ft. was on right shoulder near head. Looked like this could have been cause of death. All meat in this cavity was gone and rib cage was bare and dry. I also came across an unknown mammal carcass low on the sand. Photos of both are attached.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

I found a jelly fish on sand. Photo attached.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces.

Natural Changes

Since this was my first mile walk, I can't compare to any previous visits.

Actions & Comments

I was pleasantly suprised to see no human material whatsoever on beach or in drift piles. Would love to see this continue, but expect garbage will be coming with the winter storms.Except for the wind, it was a gorgeous day.