Mile 158 - Oregon Dunes NRA, west of south end of Carter Lake - May 10, 2023

Report Details

This is a beautiful stretch of coastline, accessible via the Oregon Dunes Trail. There were canine tracks (probably coyotes) along the Trail but not on the beach. There was a flock of 300 or so sanderlings on the beach near the end of the Trail, as well as a few snowy plovers here and there, some gulls and brown pelicans, and a dead songbird (possibly a warbler, grosbeak, or goldfinch). The beach here is littered with broken crab and dungeness crab shells. There were truck tracks on the beach and human footprints in dry sand areas, both in violation of posted regulations. No marine mammals were visible.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: -1.0 feet.

Human Activities

Other Activities: Fresh footprints showed someone had walked up into dry sand area earlier that morning, though probably not into snowy plover nesting area.. Washed-out truck tracks indicate someone fairly recently was driving on the beach near snowy plover nesting sites.

Concerns

People/dogs/vehicles in closure areas

Apparent violations: Dry sand areas are closed in snowy plover nesting season..

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2. Cars/trucks on beach, prohibited: 1.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. songbird (possibly a warbler, grosbeak, or goldfinch)

Driftline Content

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