Mile 123 Report
Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
December 8, 2010
There was a remarkable abundance of charcoal-colored cobbles (basalt, sandstone?
Report Details
There was a remarkable abundance of charcoal-colored cobbles (basalt, sandstone?) probably exposed by recent storms, along the beach. Another unusual find were piles of, most likely, young Bull Kelp. These rope-like sections were only finger sized, but very long and all tangled together. They were probably brought to the beach as a result of the high tides and storms. The most notable change was the shift of the creek channel about 100 yards south, to the edge of the southern foredune. Finding Palmeria palmata, dulse, was also a surprise. The erosion of the foredune continues, with high wave action, and the endless illegal beach travel of ATVs and OTVs etc. Five people and two dogs on the beach.
Conditions
Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Strong. Wind Direction: S.
Human Activities
Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 5. Other Activities: some people in vehicles looking at the sea. Tire tracks on beach and continuing foredune erosion by vehicles.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 6.
Notable Wildlife
Large flock of Gulls by stream, 1 peep flying, Crows. Palmeria palmate/dulse, 3x4 foot piles of young Bull Kelp (1/2-1 inch diameter ropelike lengths with no visible bulbs or leaves, but holdfasts)
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 3. 2 highly decomposed, 1 tube nosed, probably Northern Fulmar
Stranded Marine Mammals
Highly decomposed fragments
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Small rocks. many, many charcoal colored rocks 4-12 inches, rounded like river cobbles
Natural Changes
Erosion of vegetated foredune, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Evidence of wave overtopping. Stream channel has shifted south about 100 yds
Actions & Comments
Increasing winds and drizzle shortened our observation time. It was interesting to see logs lying horizontally being exposed by foredune erosion.
Sarita
CoastWatcher
All Mile 123 Reports
Mile 123
Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
There were three new observations on this walk.
Sarita
Mile 123
Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
Beach configuration evolving with a now scallop curved shoreline.
Sarita
Mile 123
Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
MANY PEOPLE (36)AND DOGS (18) CAME AND WENT DURING OUR WALK.
Sarita
Mile 123
Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
The beach was almost completely free of litter.
Sarita
Mile 123
Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
The beach was swept clean, with a few scattered algae piles, and a few large logs.
Sarita
Mile 123
Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
Human activity was minimal on this cold windy day.
Sarita
Mile 123
Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
On this beautiful, warm, calm day, the beach was amazingly free of debris.
Sarita
Mile 123
Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
On this lovely morning at the water's edge were: rock weed, bull kelp, piles of eel grass, about 6 feather boas, crab and clam shells.
Sarita