Mile 138 Report
Oregon Dunes NRA, south of Tenmile Creek
March 12, 2009
What a great day for a beach walk.
Report Details
What a great day for a beach walk. The only concern was who put the vehicle tracks on the non-vehicle beach leading up to Tenmile Creek? BLM employees use both ATVs and 4wd vehicles to monitor the nesting area. Occassional illegal entry also occurs. Other signs of human activity centered around the blading of the sandy nesting area of 6-10 acres between the ocean and the small estuary. Rodent and deer tracks were noted, and three Harbor Seals were actively patrolling the outlet for fresh fish. A pair of adult Bald Eagles were observed soaring over the outlet. Other bird life included a flock of Sanderlings, a pair of Snowy Plovers, and one lone gull. Parts of the sea wall were eroded back by wave action leaving vertical walls up to eight feet. Shells, animal casings, Bull Kelp, wood and ocean-based debris in driftline. Low human impact (0).
Conditions
Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 6.5 feet.
Human Activities
The BLM recently used a Caterpillar to level the Snowy Plover nesting area and reduce European beach grass clumps. The usual ropes and signs were not yet in place.
Concerns
Apparent violations: Two sets of vehicle tracks visible, one of which was a BLM official. The ATV track may have been an illegal entry..
Notable Wildlife
There was a minimal amount of wrack high on the beach consisting mostly of bullkelp and some washed out beach grass. Birds observed were two Snowy Plovers, two mature Bald Eagles, a flock of Sanderlings and one lone gull. There were three or more Harbor Seals patrolling the outlet from Tenmile creek. They team up to feed on steelhead and salmonids entering or leaving the freshwater. They seem to be there year around and past counts found up to eleven present. Rodent and deer tracks on beach.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Wood pieces.
Man-made Modifications
Dune modification/removal. Beachgrass removal and grading by the BLM for plover nesting area.
Natural Changes
Erosion of vegetated foredune.
comubp
CoastWatcher
All Mile 138 Reports
Mile 138
Oregon Dunes NRA, south of Tenmile Creek
One lone hiker/beachcomber present.
comubp
Mile 138
Oregon Dunes NRA, south of Tenmile Creek
Mile 138 was clean and mostly lacking notable wrack of a small number of shells, animal casings, kelp/algae wood pieces and Styrofoam.
comubp
Mile 138
Oregon Dunes NRA, south of Tenmile Creek
This vehicle prohibited mile was without tire tracks, and the only sign of humans was four sets of footprints, three barefoot, at the far north end of the mile.
comubp
Mile 138
Oregon Dunes NRA, south of Tenmile Creek
What a great day for a beach walk.
comubp
Mile 138
Oregon Dunes NRA, south of Tenmile Creek
The beach was pretty much as expected for winter storm activity.
comubp
Mile 138
Oregon Dunes NRA, south of Tenmile Creek
The BLM had a caterpillar grade the Snowy Plover nesting area behind the beach.
comubp
Mile 138
Oregon Dunes NRA, south of Tenmile Creek
A sunny day with small breeze.
comubp