Mile 116 Report
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
May 11, 2024
Two separate study groups were present, one measuring Gumboot Chitons and the surrounding algae and one studying sea urchins, ones living in pits versus ones not. I saw a couple families bringing their small children to South Cove, and a flock of pelicans.
Report Details
Two separate study groups were present, one measuring Gumboot Chitons and the surrounding algae and one studying sea urchins, ones living in pits versus ones not. I saw more blood stars than I ever have before at South Cove, about 10! I also saw a bat star, a first for me. There were also plenty of ochre stars present. A few of them were growing new arms, but one of them may have been ill. I will be sending in a couple Sea Star Surveys, one for each side of the cove. I saw a red urchin above water. I have seen them below the water before. This one seemed a bit rough, and may have been dead which could have been why I found it where I did. I saw a couple families bringing their small children to South Cove, and a flock of pelicans. There were so many Gumboot Chitons, one on the sand even. They are more prevalent on the north side of the cove than the south. I believe there is less sand in South Cove as I noticed exposed rock in front of the rock in the center of the cove. It seems to me in years past this center rock would get covered in sand, but it is always exposed now. I found something unusual. At first I thought it was an anemone with something either attached or protruding from it, but looking at the picture, I wonder now if I found a nudibranch.
Conditions
Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: -1.25 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 20. Sitting: 14. Tidepooling: 7. Fishing: 1. Other Activities: Family of 3 sitting on the sand.. No vehicle could ever get on the South Cove beach. There were a team from OSU studying Gumboot Chiton and the Sea weed around them. Another group were studying sea urchins, and how many were in pits vrs. how many were not, making theories about their foraging. It is also so joy giving to see parents bringing their young children to South Cove. The team studying Gumboots sure came to the right place. I saw over 40 without even trying. The fisherman did not stay very long. I do not know if this is because he caught what he wanted, or because their were tidepoolers out where he was trying to fish.
Notable Wildlife
I saw a sea star I had never seen before, pointed out to me by Delaynie, one of those studying the urchins. I was also shown a very large abalone. I saw many blood stars and quite a good number of ochre stars. And, as I said, there were a great many Gumboot Chitons. I also saw a flock of about 12 pelicans cruising around. I did not get a photo of those as I am so enchanted by their flight, I just watch. It seems to me the population of urchins has increased again, though I have no data to support that. I was surprised to find a red urchin above water and I accidentally crushed one under my heel.
Driftline Content
Wood pieces. There is always s drift of driftwood to navigate over to get to the beach, but the wrack line on the sand was very faint with only small wood pieces.
New Development
The rope aid is still in place to help navigate a washed out part of the trail. Part of me thinks some development would be welcome at South Cove to provide less hazardous access, but another part of me thinks maybe it's good that it is challenging. Less feet to trample urchins! But then again, the trail down to the cove is probably deterrent enough...
Natural Changes
Newly exposed roots/trees falling. It is hard to tell what might have fallen recently to what has fallen before, but erosion is unavoidable in the cove due to the steep slopes.
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All Mile 116 Reports
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
A minus tide brought many visitors to South Cove, one group being led by Larry, a Oregon Shores board member.
Elaine Cramer
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Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
Two separate study groups were present, one measuring Gumboot Chitons and the surrounding algae and one studying sea urchins, ones living in pits versus ones not. I saw a couple families bringing their small children to South Cove, and a flock of pelicans.
alaingamerica
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
There was a beach hazard statement issued and I wanted to see what impact that would have as we were experiencing the first fine weather after so many weeks of cold rain. I was charmed by a family of six playing on the beach, the children even playing in the water.
Elaine Cramer
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
I was the only person fool enough to the visit South Cove today.
Elaine Cramer
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
A pleasantly mild day made for a good tidepool walk.
alaingamerica
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
There was one dead California Sea Lion low on the beach.
alaingamerica
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
I returned to Mile 116 for a Sea Star Observation Survey.
alaingamerica
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
The weather had very light cloud cover, but I logged it as Sunny.
alaingamerica