Mile 117 Report
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
June 7, 2008
During pupping season the North Cove is closed.
Report Details
During pupping season the North Cove is closed. In addition, the Center Cove is not easily accessible, so all observations were from the cliff tops.Seasonal bird changes include the return of Turkey Vultures and Pelicans, and the departure of the Harlequin Ducks. On almost every visit we see a single Great Blue Heron fishing in the north cove pools. Many Violet Green Swallows and Western Gulls. From the cliff tops we saw no Black Oystercatchers although there are usually quite a few in the north cove. Six Harbor Seals with pups on beach. Many sea lions in water and on rocks. One of the sea lions on the rocks at the south end of the north cove had a fishing lure stuck (hooked) in its mouth. (See attached photo)This was reported by Diane and Dave Bilderback to the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Moderate human impact (10), looking at sea from cliff tops.
Conditions
Temperature: 71 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 10. The people we saw were all looking out at the sea from the cliff tops.
Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
2 Turkey Vultures6 Harbor seals with pups on beachMany sea lions in water and on rocksMany Pelicans1 Great Blue HeronMany Violet green swallowsMany Western gulls
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. Sea lion with fishing lure in its mouth. The animal was having a hard time snoozing. Every time it nodded off the lure would catch on the rocks and its head would jerk up like a person caught nodding off at the opera. Photograph included.
Driftline Content
No Comment because no access this time of year
Actions & Comments
No access to north cove at this time of year.From the cliff-top we did not see anything unusual.The heavy drift-line (feet thick in some places) was washed away over the winter and has not returned.
Report Images
All Mile 117 Reports
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
North Cove of Cape Arago was fairly clean of debris other than boat hull on north end.
Jhorse
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
Here’s how things went: As we clamber down into the North Cove, a magnificent Osprey rises from the water right under our noses.
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
The tide was very low indeed (photos 1&2).
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
Had to observe from the cliff tops owing to very muddy, slippery approaches to the North Cove.
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
Two dead sea lions in the North Cove (reported to Stranding Network), otherwise nothing unusual.
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
The North Cove is closed in the Spring during the Harbor Seal and Elephant Seal pupping season, so we were not able to walk the beach.
Pat&RobertaSmit