Mile 123 Report
Bastendorff Beach east half, South Jetty Coos Bay
October 30, 2009
Bastendorff Beach continues to have its dunes/foredunes deteriorated by vehicular traffic.
Report Details
Bastendorff Beach continues to have its dunes/foredunes deteriorated by vehicular traffic. This has now produced roads in the dunes, and onto the beach that will probably be permanent unless traffic is stopped. Robin Sears, South Coast Beach Ranger was notified about an SUV, with teens and dogs on the beach. Action was taken on this violation quite promptly by law enforcement. Three dead California Sea Lions were reported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline, and photos will be sent to them. The most deteriorated animal, that was located at the area of highest traffic, had been beheaded. All three animals were stranded at the high water line. Two dead birds, a Western Grebe and a Storm Petrel, were photoed and documented for COASST. They were also at the high tide line. Razor Clam shells and kelp in driftline. Heavy human impact (32)- 20 walking, 6 playing surf, 2 surfing and 4 sitting. Five dogs.
Conditions
Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W.
Human Activities
Number of people: 32. Number of dogs: 5. Walking or running: 20. Playing in surf: 6. Sitting: 4. Surfing: 2. Other Activities: standing around vehicle. SUV on beach with group of teens and dogs. Called Robin Sears cell phone and left message. Shortly thereafter law enforcement truck arrived and addressed the problem; I don't know if ticketed. Lots of recent vehicle tracks, and continued destruction of foredune.
Concerns
Fire, Litter
Apparent violations: SUV on beach,.Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
Seagulls, crows and an occasional cormorant were the only birds. Many seagulls clustered, as usual at the mouth of the creek.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 2. Western Grebe and Storm Petrel. Both birds documented, and banded for COASST by Jerry Chadwick.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 3. California Sealions, one beheaded and quite decomposed. All three animals at high tide line, one partially covered by sand. This was reported to the Marine Mammal Hotline Stranding, and photos to be sent to them
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells. razor clam shells 3-4 inches in area nearest jetty, small amount of bull kelp, and piles of eel grass
Man-made Modifications
Dune modification/removal. Seemingly incessant erosion of dunes by vehicles is creating roads in the dunes
Actions & Comments
Yes, Robin Sears and Marine Mammal Stranding notified.
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