Report Details

The little available beach on this mile is still closed for Harbor Seal birthing. I have seen 2 born this last week. A total of 15 female and juvenile Northern Elephant Seals are on the Shell Island beach going through their yearly catastrophic molt. Both California and Stellar Sea Lions are present. One Gray Whale was spotted going south. Several bird species were noted including 2 Black Oystercatchers on Shell Island near a nest site from previous seasons. Others included an adult Bald Eagle(during the previous week, I observed 2 adults and 2 immatures of different ages), 1 Osprey, Turkey Vultures, cormorants, and gulls. The trail was in good shape and there was only minor erosion in spite of the late wet season. The kelp forest seems to be holding its own. The bog lily restoration area has definitely become over grown. Many of the survey stakes have lost their caps and I suspect some are missing. The 12 people I saw were all watching wildlife on Shell Island. No signs of vandalism and next to no litter of any type.

Conditions

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate.

Human Activities

Number of people: 12. Other Activities: Observing seals & sea lions. All individuals observed were watching wildlife.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 5.

Notable Wildlife

Harbor seals (several pups-observed 2 births during the previous week), Ca. Sea Lions, Stellar Sea Lions, N. Elephant Seals (15 females & immatures in for the molt), 1 Gray Whale, 1 adult Bald Eagle (have observed 2 adults and 2 immatures during the previous week), 2 Black Oystercatchers in the area of a previous nest on Shell Island, cormorants, Turkey Vultures, an Osprey, gulls, and deer tracks.

Driftline Content

Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). 2 crab pot buoys

Natural Changes

minor erosion

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All Mile 118 Reports

Showing 8 of 17 reports

Mile 118

Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint

August 22, 2022

Shore Acres State Park is a lovely place, with beautiful vistas and hiking trails, hundreds of marine mammals visible at Simpson Reef Overlook, and a wonderful botanical garden.

GasiorowskiM

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 118

Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint

July 14, 2016

Thirty-seven people were observing wildlife at Simpson Reef.

D Bone

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 118

Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint

July 31, 2015

Wildlife was a major feature of this trip, as usual.

D Bone

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 118

Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint

July 29, 2012

I saw a total of 5 people.

D Bone

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 118

Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint

June 10, 2012

Human Activities; 2 people walking their dogs and picking up trash, 2 people fishing, and 2 people watching wildlife.

D Bone

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 118

Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint

June 2, 2011

The little available beach on this mile is still closed for Harbor Seal birthing.

D Bone

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 118

Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint

March 25, 2011

Not much happening.

D Bone

Mile 118

Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint

December 31, 2010

A lady sketching seals and sea lions from the Simpson's Reef Viewing Area pointed out an Elephant Seal with two pups.

Pat&RobertaSmit