Mile 121 - Gregory Point, Lighthouse Beach, Mussel Reef - March 16, 2008

Report Details

Kelp, shells, wood pieces, land-based debris, plastic pellets and Styrofoam in the driftline. Four dead birds: 1 gull, 2 Northern Fulmars and 1 White-winged Scoter. A few shorebirds foraging in driftline and moving in response to dogs. Sand accumulating near the bluffs. Less sand build up on the southern part of the beach. Dramatic slope to the low tide line. New rock exposed below high tide line. Concrete steps and slabs exposed along bluffs. Cliff being undermined below a house. It appears that telephone poles and chains are being used to stop erosion. Moderate human impact (14)- 4 walking, 2 surfing, 2 fishing and 6 picnicking. 3 dogs.

Conditions

Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Strong.

Human Activities

Number of people: 14. Walking or running: 4. Surfing: 2. Fishing: 2. Other Activities: 6- picnicing. Shorebirds were moving in response to dogs. When I arrived 6 people were leaving with 3 large dogs. Dogs were not leashed.

Concerns

Apparent violations: Unsure what fishermen were after?.

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 4. 2 Northern Fulmars, 1 White-winged Scoter, and 1 gull

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Styrofoam, Wood pieces.

Actions & Comments

Sand is actually piling up on this beach near the bluffs. There is a fairly dramatic dip to the low tide line. New rock exposed below high tide line. Areas of concern (please see the scanned map photo): (a) concrete steps, concrete re-exposed along bluffs. Also concrete slabs where pipe washes down. Concerned that this may be the reason that less sand is build up on south side of beach. (b)At first point going north less sand build up than further north. (c)House cannot be much further back than a yard from side of cliff. Cliff being undermined. Attempt to stop erosion just south of this house with what looks like telephone poles and chains. People in house above must be getting sea spray on windows with big storms.