Report Details

A minus tide occurs this Summer weekend and Parks had a sign encouraging the public to explore the tidepools. I believe this does account for the increase in visitors. A pleasant day to do so. I'm happy to report I saw many Ochre Stars present. I do believe I am observing a limiting effect on the Sea Urchins. Many tidepoolers were pleased by finding many Gumboot Chitons and Sea Stars.

Conditions

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Tide Level: -2.1 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 48. Number of dogs: 2. Tidepooling: 48. Parks had a sign encouraging the public to explore the tidepools this weekend, no doubt due to the minus tide. Definitely brought more people than usual to South Cove.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 8.

Notable Wildlife

A very healthy population of Ochre Sea Stars. I would say they are plentiful. In past years, when not many Sea Stars were present, the Sea Urchins have been so thick as to form a continuous carpet. Their populations seem more "normal" to me, though I did notice more red Sea Urchins than "usual".

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

I did see two dead or dying Sea Urchins close to shore.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass.

Report Images

Parks put up a sign encouraging the pubic to explore the tidepools at South Cove
The sun only broke through briefly during the 2 and half hours I was on the beach
I used my phone to look closely at this creature, but even paging through my book at home, I couldn't determine what I was seeing. Too bad the picture is a bit blurry.
A couple pair of Pidgeon Guillemots
Part of a significant clustering of dwarf limpets
I think this may be a rough limpet, but I'm not at all sure
I have been seeing more Red Sea Urchins among the purple
I have never learned what does this. Is it clams?
A healthy colonization of Sea Lettuce
A lot of turkey vultures hanging around today.

Report Images

Share this post

All Mile 116 Reports

Showing 8 of 46 reports

Mile 116

Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove

June 23, 2024

A minus tide brought many visitors to South Cove, one group being led by Larry, a Oregon Shores board member.

Elaine Cramer

Mile 116

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.

alaingamerica

Mile 116

Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove

March 16, 2024

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

January 20, 2024

I was the only person fool enough to the visit South Cove today.

Elaine Cramer

Mile 116

Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove

August 6, 2023

A pleasantly mild day made for a good tidepool walk.

alaingamerica

Mile 116

Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove

May 7, 2023

There was one dead California Sea Lion low on the beach.

alaingamerica

Mile 116

Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove

December 3, 2022

I returned to Mile 116 for a Sea Star Observation Survey.

alaingamerica

Mile 116

Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove

November 20, 2022

The weather had very light cloud cover, but I logged it as Sunny.

alaingamerica