Mile 123 Report
Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
May 18, 2011
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.
Report Details
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. Also, there were many human dug holes (for clamming?) for about 250 yards from the stream north, and also many holes south of the jetty. Also along the water's edge was a very pale greeny yellow foam, riding the incoming wavelets. At the edge of the deeper waters just south of the jetty were several dead sea stars, cockles and razor clam shells, bits of sand dollars, and a profusion of broken up shell pieces. On the highest portion of driftline is the decomposing carcass of a sea mammal, probably sea lion. Only one fire remnant, and very little human debris (plastic, etc.) was seen. On the north side of the stream was a thin carpet of leaves, needles, and wood bits. East of the stream's meander is a large (30x4-5 feet) reddish, wooden construction, possibly part of a boat, with much now buried. Sadly, the destruction of the dunes continues, and the number of tire tracks seemed more than usual. 14 people and 4 dogs on the beach. One illegal truck driving on beach and was reported to the beach ranger.
Conditions
Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 14. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 11. Playing in sand: 2. Sitting: 1. A truck drove onto beach from one of the many illegal road tracks through the dunes. I called and reported it to Robin Sears. She was away from phone.
Concerns
Apparent violations: illegal vehicle, numerous illegal tire tracks.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 5. Cars/trucks on beach, prohibited: 1.
Notable Wildlife
2 Semipalmated Plovers, several Cliff Swallows, 2 flying cormorants,skein of geese flying high overhead, 20ish gulls.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 2. Jerry Chadwick documented for COASST, a Western Gull and unidentifiable remains.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. Probably California Sea Lion. Very decomposed, headless.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. large wooden plank boards, part of a ship?
Man-made Modifications
Dune modification/removal. modification due to ever incresing vehicular traffic
Natural Changes
Despite rains, diminished flow in stream.
Sarita
CoastWatcher
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Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
There were three new observations on this walk.
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Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
Beach configuration evolving with a now scallop curved shoreline.
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Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
MANY PEOPLE (36)AND DOGS (18) CAME AND WENT DURING OUR WALK.
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Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
The beach was almost completely free of litter.
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Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
The beach was swept clean, with a few scattered algae piles, and a few large logs.
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Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
Human activity was minimal on this cold windy day.
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Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
On this beautiful, warm, calm day, the beach was amazingly free of debris.
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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