Mile 144 - West of central Umpqua Lighthouse SP - 10/10/2025

Report Details

The Fall season is becoming more evident along the beach. Caterpillars and birds are migrating, the sand is starting to shift, and the tide is coming in higher. We did come across one decomposing seal carcass, which still smelled strongly. When we arrived the weather was perfect, but it quickly changed as a storm approached and dotted us with raindrops.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light.

Human Activities

Number of people: 13. Walking or running: 13. Other Activities: n/a. motor vehicles not allowed on this beach

Concerns

Apparent violations: n/a.

Notable Wildlife

5 pelicans sitting on shore, 13 flying over water 32 gulls sitting on shore and flying over water; mixture of adults and juveniles 73!!! Woolly Bear caterpillars! 39 at water's edge and 34 along foredune

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. I wanted to tag it for COASST but the tide was approaching (we were on our return trip, almost to parking lot). I took a few quick photos. I assume it's a Common Murre, age unknown, as wings were missing (photos attached).

Stranded Marine Mammals

n/a

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Many small crab molts and several jelly pieces.

Driftline Content

There were several wrack lines, with the high tide mark right up against the foredune. Most debris and other wrackline content was at the high-tide mark. Lower wrack lines had shells, seagrass, and smaller driftwood pieces.

New Development

n/a

Man-made Modifications

Several driftwood lean-tos observed.

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune. Noted one area where sand is starting to erode (photo attached). Closer to water, the sand is no longer as flat as it was all summer. It is starting to develop dips and mounds (see photo). Yardangs are starting to form.