Mile 125 - North Beach on North Spit Coos Bay - September 19, 2011

Report Details

9/19 was spectacularly beautiful, perfect for a Coast Watch report. No other people on the beach. I am puzzled by thousands of tiny jellyfish that ride up onto the beach with every wave. They sparkle like jewels. Six dead gulls, one being eaten by a young vulture. Brown surf for long stretches, clearing further south near the north jetty. Shells, animal casings, kelp/algae, and small rocks in the driftline. Much land and sea debris: 2 pallets; a rusted and bent crab pot entangled in about 25 ft. of nylon rope and encircled by chicken wire; at least 60 ft. of nylon rope. The pot and rope were pulled to places where they could not return to the sea by my good mare, Ruby, and BLM was notified of their location. Succulent vegetation has taken root on the beach and is growing "like a weed". Steep erosion of foredune in only 2 places, and only a couple of hundred feet total. The highlight of the day was the sight of a mature Bald Eagle swooping off the foredune right in front of us, setting his course northward. What a thrill! If it weren't for Coast Watch, I would have missed it.

Conditions

Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 3.8 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 2. Other Activities: myself and friend riding horses. No one else on mile 124 and 125, as well as 2 miles north, this date

Concerns

Litter

Notable Wildlife

large flock of Sanderlingsone mature Bald Eagle1 young vulture feeding on dead gull

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 6. 6 dead gulls, little left but feathers.All seemed to be the same dark featheredspecies. Could these have been Heermann's Gulls? Heads and feet gone.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. A high concentration of tiny jellies, scattered over both miles. They seemed to be arriving on the beach with each wave, and shone like tiny craft jewels. Crab carapaces, whole and broken.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks.

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune. Succulent type of vegetation has taken root on the beach and is growing "like a weed". Very pretty. Steep erosion of foredune in only 2 places, and only a couple of hundred feet total.

Actions & Comments

Hazardous debris to sea mammals was removed by dragging behind a horse. This included a crab pot encased in tangled nylon rope, and an estimated 60 feet of nylon rope. The crab pot was pulled to a snag just north of the George Olsen wreck and hung over a snag to secure it. The rope was towed to the beach entrance over the foredune. BLM was notified of their locations. I plan to return soon for a recheck of miles 124 and 125...there could be more such debris that is so dangerous for ocean mammals.

rubygoes

CoastWatcher

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