Mile 116 - Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove - May 7, 2023

Report Details

There was one dead California Sea Lion low on the beach. I noticed an unfamiliar creature and emailed Dr. Cynthia Trowbridge of OIMB for help identifying, but have not had a response at this time. There was a lot more plastic waste than I have ever seen before, though I do recall a previous report on this mile where the watchers had collected great garbage bags full of trash. I did not take the time to pick it all up, but if I had, I'm sure I could have gotten a large bag full. I did notice some sea stars that looked ill and I will submit a Sea Star Survey after submitting this report.

Conditions

Temperature: 46 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Tide Level: -1.4 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 17. Tidepooling: 15. Fishing: 2. I saw one person with a gallon sized plastic bag looking for things. He may have already collected a gumboot chiton, though I cannot be certain.

Concerns

Litter

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 5.

Notable Wildlife

I discovered two Cucumaria miniata, a sea cucumber I have never found before. Thank you, Dr. Cynthia Trowbridge, for helping me ID this creature!

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. Long dead California Sea Lion

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). More plastic than I've ever encountered here before.

New Development

Steps down bluff. Noticed some rebar enforcing very casual driftwood steps on main trail to beach, very minimal

Natural Changes

Newly exposed roots/trees falling.

Actions & Comments

I filed a Stranding report with the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network regarding the Dead Sea Lion. I contacted Dr. Cynthia Trowbridge who helped ID things, even as she is on medical leave. Thank you so much, Dr. Trowbridge! I also submitted two Sea Star Observation Surveys, one for the Southern tidepools and one for the Northern. I am not at all sure that worked, doing two on the same day.

Report Images

I noticed a dead tree had fallen, probably once over the trail.

A fellow visitor pointed out the few "By The Wind Sailors" washed up on the South part of the beach just into the tide pools. I wouldn't have notice them on y own

This was the largest star I've ever seen, even without its other two legs. I don't know if it was sick, or just could no longer grow back limbs because of old age.

Anemone

stubby rose anemone

sea star

I often see many gumboot chitons in various stages of turning upside-down. This one completed the maneuver.

It's not often I am able to get this far south on my mind

A very dead California Sea Lion

Dr. Trowbridge has identified this as Cucumaria miniata. I have never noticed this here before, and I found two!

I think this may be a woody chiton, or else it is a mossy chiton

A lovely spring day at a minus tide

I've used black arrows to point to the rebar reinforcement of trail steps

Small trees can't last on the steep slope

This is the one person with a bag noted in the report

Report Images

alaingamerica

CoastWatcher

All Mile 116 Reports

Date

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