November 26, 2007

Report Details

I am a new member of CoastWatch, and look forwardto improving my reporting skills as my coast-eyesbecome better educated. Exceptionally low tides in November saw lots ofequestrians riding from the North Jetty to Horsfall, an area posted as "No Vehicles" due tothe Snowy Plover nesting reserve. A cleansing high tide was in evidence: the beach was sweptvery clean of debris, except for the largest logs and timbers. Vehicle activity in the area wasunusually high. ATV, dune buggy, sand bike ridersare also attracted to low tides. It is not unusual to see half a dozen vehicles on any givenday, but most are aware that they may frightenthe horses and slow down when they approach fromfront or rear. Surprisingly, these operators were extremely reckless around the horses, as if their high numbers negated the rules of common courtesy. I later asked a camp host about theunusual number of vehicles in the restricted area.He said that after Labor Day local riders "take back their beach" and let their enthusiasm spoil their good judgement. He added that the response time of enforcement officers from BLM, State Parksor the Sheriff's office is too slow, and thepriority is too low. We hope this "invasion" is a brief one. I pulled approximately 30 lbs. of nylon netting that was hung up on a log over the dune and well up the sand road thanks to my horse, Ruby, who is learning that she has an important job as a seahorse with CoastWatch. Fifty pelicans in three flocks. Heavy human impact (30) horseback riding and riding in beach vehicles.