Mile 118 Report
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.
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
D Bone
CoastWatcher
All Mile 118 Reports
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
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
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Thirty-seven people were observing wildlife at Simpson Reef.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Wildlife was a major feature of this trip, as usual.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
I saw a total of 5 people.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Human Activities; 2 people walking their dogs and picking up trash, 2 people fishing, and 2 people watching wildlife.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
The little available beach on this mile is still closed for Harbor Seal birthing.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Not much happening.
D Bone
Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
A lady sketching seals and sea lions from the Simpson's Reef Viewing Area pointed out an Elephant Seal with two pups.
Pat&RobertaSmit