Mile 125 - North Beach on North Spit Coos Bay - June 20, 2011

Report Details

June 20 was an absolutely beautiful day with a very low tide that made riding there on the hard sand a joy. And I had the beach to myself...not another soul to be seen. ATV tracks in the Snowy Plover Habitat Restoration Site. The wreck of the George Olsen, uncovered by winter storms, is now being covered up by sand once again. A few large logs lay up high on the beach. One very large, rusted piece of machinery had washed up, a complete mystery, providing several minutes of speculation. Broken shells, soft black stones, bits of lumber, bright green algae, a few sand dollars and many crabs (whole and dismembered) lay in the wrackline. My lovely miles were as clean as a whistleon this observation day, which thrilled my heart.I usually can't claim that to be the case, since human trash and much fishing gear usually accumulates here. After a few months away from my reports, my beautiful miles were a welcoming sight.

Conditions

Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: -0.4 feet.

Human Activities

ATV tracks coming off low bluff above roped off, clearly marked Snowy Plover preserve, which runs for 2 miles north of the North Jetty, miles 124 and 125, the miles I cover. I also have news from State Parks that two sets of horse tracks were recently found inside the nesting site. Since the beach is clearly signed for the protection of these birds, both violations are inexcusable. There was no one else on this stretch of beach during my visit.

Concerns

Apparent violations: ATV tracks through Snowy Plover preserve.

Notable Wildlife

1 large bird sitting by water line tookflight at my approach--unidentified2 vultures, taking a rest,8 pelicans, flying high.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. Litter consisted only of two Styrofoam buoys, 1 bleach bottle.

Natural Changes

Much evidence of a wild and stormy winter on these two miles. The bluffs here are low and easily overtopped, but somehow hold their own. Odd striations mottled the seafacing wall like prehistoric artwork.

Actions & Comments

An e-mail regarding the two sets of horse tracks through the Snowy Plover nesting site was sent out by the local contact person for Oregon Equestrian Trails in Coos County. Anyone who witnesses such deliberate harm being done to the preserve is asked to inform the riders that they are violating a state protected area. It is very up-setting that two members of our own community would ever consider such blatant disrespect. The ATV tracks I saw also register a deep disregard for authority, and for a species struggling to survive. I am asking our local newspaper to run an article on this problem.

rubygoes

CoastWatcher

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