Mile 147 - Oregon Dunes NRA, North Spit Umpqua River, Winchester Bay - June 18, 2009

Report Details

No dogs, people or vehicles were on mile 147. But there were dogs, people and OHV's in the parking area and miles 152,151 and 150 leading up to mile 147. More wildlife than I have ever seen on the beach. Pelicans fishing off of the jetty in great numbers. Whales spouting west of the jetty. One eagle and one large hard to identity Hawk or maybe juvenile eagle checking an eel that an Osprey had dropped. 6 Seals along 147 shoreline. One dead Common Murre not banded on mile 147. Drifting sand had filled in next to the bluff covering the driftwood. Several new forts made out of driftwood.

Conditions

Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N.

Human Activities

Number of people: 8. Fishing: 4. Other Activities: 4 four wheelers. People fishing from the shoreline. 4 OHV's very well behaved and helped us carry the 3 bags of trash the final mile back to the car.

Concerns

Apparent violations: Picked up 3 bags of litter and left one tire at .30 miles from the Jetty and and 1 cooler lid 2.5 miles from the creek.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 5. ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 4.

Notable Wildlife

15 Osprey, 1 eagle, pod of whales spouting, 8 seals, 1 eel caught by Osprey and dropped. Very large hawk or juvenile eagle came to check out the eel but left.1 Blue Heron. One ground squirrel.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 3. Birds were very decomposed. No bands. Looked like Common Murres and a sea gull.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

1 dead seal(harbour seal?) at mile 151.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Shells, Small rocks. Shoreline mostly shells and animal casings