Mile 154 - Oregon Dunes NRA, west of Butterfly Lake - June 3, 2009

Report Details

Walked in this time from Tahkenitch Campground and completed a six-mile loop that included my beach mile. Sand has continued to build against the foredune. Beach is relatively clean and no indication of vehicle violations. Unusual amount of crab carcasses, perhaps 500 or so in my mile. Not much driftwood. Saw only one other person, an ATV rider in an area where OHVs are legal. Saw two dead birds, a gull and one I could not identify.

Conditions

Temperature: 58 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 4.9 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 1. Other Activities: ATV rider. ATV rider turned back at closure sign on beach. No tire tracks in closed beach areas or on two two closed trails that access the beach.

Concerns

Apparent violations: none.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 1. ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 1.

Notable Wildlife

A few gull-like birds, perhaps terns, around the Tahkenitch Creek outlet.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 2. One dead seagull, one smaller dark-colored bird with dense feathers I could not identify.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Perhaps 500 dead crab which looked like they washed ashore fairly recently. Counted 20 crab carcasses in one circular area perhaps 10 feet in diameter.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. a snall amount of plastic bottles, one glass bottle, and other debris.

Natural Changes

Still some dead trees, roots, bushes that were eroded along Tahkenitch Creek to the north and washed ashore on my beach.