Mile 116 Report
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
October 9, 2021
A pleasant day at South Cove, not many visitors.
Report Details
A pleasant day at South Cove, not many visitors. A stranded California Sea Lion, a call went out to the Stranded Marine Mammal Network. Saw a Mottled Sea Star, Evasterias troschelii, and may do a Sea Star Survey, even though I saw no Sea Stars suffering Wasting Disease. I aslo saw no Nurdles. I did however see two deer. Theywere on the beach for a bit, then traipsed over the cliffs. Saw a dead crab and gumboot chiton. Saw 3 people fishing, one was using WD40 and stated the rainbows in the water attracted fish. This is a myth, BTW, and no good reason to pollute the water, but it is not illegal. WD40 does what it can to disabuse people of this notion. It seems to me there is less drift wood at the South Cove than usual.
Conditions
Temperature: 46 F. Tide Level: 1.8 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 5. Fishing: 3. Other Activities: Us two doing the survey. 3 people fishing, at least one was spraying his lure with WD40, stating the rainbows in the water helped to attract fish. After I got home I looked into this and found it is a myth. Doing so just pollutes the water for no good reason. Doing so is not illegal, however, and the pollution is thought to be minimal.
Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
A sickly looking Sea Lion, a Mottled Sea Star and two deer. I have never seen deer on this mile in all my years of making reports.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. California Sea Lion appeared thin and sickly. It would lift it's head to look at us, but could not muster enough to move away from us. We never came closer than 5 yards from it. I did call the Stranded Marine Mammal Network and texted pictures to them .Not sure what, if anything, they will do.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Saw a definitely dead crab and gumboot chiton
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Wood pieces.
Natural Changes
Saw a deer traipsing across the cliffs, knocking loose some dirt and small rocks.
Report Images
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
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
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