Mile 121 - Gregory Point, Lighthouse Beach, Mussel Reef - September 19, 2007

Report Details

Much kelp/algae, many animal casings, some shells and much wood pieces in driftline. Shorebirds foraging in surfline. A large dead decomposing Humpback Whale on south end of beach. Gulls and Turkey Vultures around the carcass. New landslides onto beach, especially around large structure made with building blocks. Lots of sand on beach and the only exposed rock below tide line. Steep incline to the beach with ocean undertow. New concrete structures on beach with metal steps above it. Moderate human impact (8)-walking, 2 sitting and 3 surfing.

Conditions

Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S.

Human Activities

Number of people: 8. Walking or running: 3. Sitting: 2. Surfing: 3.

Notable Wildlife

Shorebirds foraging in the surf.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. One decomposing Humpback Whale. Gull and turkey vulture activity. Phew-glad I don't live there!

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. See General Comment.

New Development

Steps down bluff.

Actions & Comments

New landslide activity on beach for this time of year. Especially around large structure made with building blocks. Slides north and south of this. Good infill on beach. Only rock exposed beside headland is below tide line. Steep incline to beach and undertow.Driftline Content: These amounts are more than normally seen:lots of kelp/algae, some animal casings, lots of rocks and lots of wood pieces.