June 5, 2010

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 1.6 feet.

Number of people: 45. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 11. Playing in surf: 8. Playing in sand: 4. Sitting: 10. Tidepooling: 3. Other Activities: 9 playing volleyball.

A few gulls, very few other seabirds, no mammals.

Total dead birds: 4. A decomposed duck was found near the centroid of Mile 122.

At the mouth of Minor Creek, dividing Mile 122 from 123, a long dead seal or sea lion. A green “X” had been painted on its back perhaps signifying that it had been officially tallied. A small seal (a pup?), also quite advanced in decomposition, was about 50 yards away in Mile 123. A third long dead seal/sea lion was found about half way between Mile 123 and Mile 121. About half of a skeleton (head, neck, ribs) of a mammal, probably a seal or pup of a sea lion, was at the west end of Mile 122 (“Pirate’s Cove”) behind a log against the foredune.

Seaweeds and seagrass, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Wood pieces.

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Landslides/major boulder falls.

No actions were taken. A rockfall has spalled off the 35 foot cliff at the southwest end of Bastendorff Beach; obviously erosion is a constant process here, with or without human assistance. In addition, erosion of the foredune may have progressed since March, 2010, as suggested by the apparent increase in rooted trees that have fallen onto the beach in the interval. Litter at high tide line seems to have declined significantly. Perhaps fewer storms are bringing litter on shore.