Mile 116 - Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove - October 9, 2021

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

Cars/trucks parking: 3.

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

A beautiful October morning, clear skies calm waves no breeze

We think there is less driftwood than usual, and we have visited this beach a lot.

We reported this to the Stranded Marine Mammal Network. Weak seeming and thin, this may be its final resting place

At least this is not Sea Star Wasting Disease. This may be a Mottled Star, Evasterias troschelii

I was glad to find this live Mottled Star, Evasterias troschelii

I saw three ochre stars, two large and very healthy seeming like this photo shows. My fingers are in there for scale.

It's been a while since I've seen such a small gumboot chiton. My fingers are in there for scale

This beautiful Pale Sea Anemone was one of several I saw. There were darker green ones around as well.

Just for Art's sake.

This WD40 was sprayed onto a fishing lure, the fisherman thinking this would attract fish to bit. IT DOES NOT

One of two deer navigating the cliffs

I only found beach wrack in this one portion of the cove

A dead and upside down gumboot chiton, next to a definitely dead crab

Very brightly colored kelp. I wonder if it has an autumn season.or if it's just this color. I believe this is Cryptopleura ruperchtiana, Fringed Hidden Rib which are said to have colors ranging from bright rose red to brownish red.

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