Mile 128 - North Beach on North Spit Coos Bay 4 - March 13, 2009

Report Details

Continued high tides, carrying a prodigous amount of sizable timber, have battereed the foredune so badly that it appears sculpted in places. I have never seen so much timber lying scattered in this mile before. Large clumps of beach grass that have been "calving" for the last 2 winterslie half way down the foredune and on the beach.The staggering amount of trash may be due to the timber and grass clumps trapping and tangling it at the foot of the foredune. Bottles,glass, styrofoam, lumber and, most upsetting, netting and rope. The SOLV beach clean-up comingon March 28 should be very helpful in removing alot of the mess. I dragged off a sack o' plastic, about 15 lbs., and the other hand dragged the netting for a pretty even balance. I must be a strange sight doing this. The two equestrian access points have been shearedoff so stepply as to be very long jumps, if someone moseys down them expecting an easy entry to the beach. Surprise!...and not so easy to getback up. Brown, frothy surf. I had expected moredead birds after the February sewage spill, butonly found three. Glorious day for walkingmy interesting mile. Shells, animal casings, kelp, and small rocks in driftline. Moderate human impact (12)-6 walking, 1 playing in sand and 6 fishing. 5 dogs.

Conditions

Temperature: 58 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 12. Number of dogs: 5. Walking or running: 5. Playing in sand: 1. Fishing: 6. Other Activities: OHV w/ loose dog. It was nice to see six fishermen out enjoying the day,hoping for a bite. A father and son team brought a litle girl of about 4 years with them. I saw the younger man place her on a log, give her a "sit, stay",and turn his back on her to pursue his fishing. Shewas immediately off the log and skipping backwardstoward the water. Both men were oblivious. So Ihollered and pointed. With GREAT reluctance the younger man retrieved her and put her back on thelog. Guess he never heard about those sneaker waves.

Concerns

Litter

Apparent violations: G. Shep off leash, but heeling perfectly with OHV.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 15. ATVs/OHVs parking: 8. RVs/Buses parking: 2. ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 1.

Notable Wildlife

surprising absence of any birds;much bull kelp

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 3. decomposed mass of feathers...could notidentify

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

normal appearing number of crab carapaces; a few mussle shells

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, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. 1 pallet

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Visible retreat of solid bluff, Landslides/major boulder falls. beach access newly signed " Caution: drop off"

Actions & Comments

yes...litter pick up