Mile 139 - Oregon Dunes NRA, N of Tenmile Creek - June 9, 2012

Report Details

Usually, this long stretch of beach has been swept clean by the wind and waves. Today there was a significant amount of driftwood all along the 2 mile length of beach we walk. Mixed in with the wood was a large amount of large and small Styrofoam chunks, plastic bottles and misc. other “flotsam”. Besides the usual crab floats (10-15) and line, there was approximately 50-60 black plastic spherical floats, plus one large oblong float. One large orange float was evidently manufactured by ‘Shanshin Kakoco LTD. (Japanese?). The most unusual find was a rectangular object 4 ft. by 3 ft. by 1.5 ft., made out of fiberglass, with a round dome like protrusion on the top (see picture). The top appeared to have a solar panel like appearance, but partially painted over. It had a blinking white light on it.

Conditions

Temperature: 52 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Strong. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 1.0 feet.

Human Activities

Unusual signs of 3-4 beachwalkers that walked before us this morning. This windswept stretch has no access other than walking 2 miles across the sand dunes.

Notable Wildlife

Only a few gulls

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 4. 1 commorant, 3 other sea birds not identified

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Styrofoam, Wood pieces.