Mile 116 Report
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
July 16, 2022
A minus tide occurs this Summer weekend and Parks had a sign encouraging the public to explore the tidepools.
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.
Activities
Number of people: 48. Number of dogs: 2. Tidepooling: 48.
Other Activities: 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.
Wrackline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass.
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
alaingamerica
CoastWatcher
All Mile 116 Reports
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
A lone California Sea Lion was surprised by me as I made my way to the Northern most tip of the cove.
Elaine Cramer
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
I visited the cove on my own time, and I was struck by the wrack content. I also investigated what I consider an "unsanctioned" trail, or a "surfer trail".
Elaine
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
I'm sorry, but life events prevented me from completing this report in a timely manner.
Elaine Cramer
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
The day before, there was a much lower tide and I thought everyone must have come that day, because I was the only one at the start, but more people kept coming as the day wore on.
Elaine Cramer
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
Was a beautiful Saturday at the Cove.
Elaine C
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
Mile 116
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