Mile 161 Report
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
August 9, 2025
I was happy to see less human encroachment this time into the protected, fenced-off areas designated for the endangered Snowy Plovers.
Report Details
I was happy to see less human encroachment this time into the protected, fenced-off areas designated for the endangered Snowy Plovers. No plovers were seen at this location during my visit, even at the water line, where I have always seen at least 1 feeding on previous visits. This was a perfect day for a survey, as shore birds were sunning themselves as the tide came in.
Conditions
Temperature: 64 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 3.5 feet.
Activities
Number of people: 35. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 16. Sitting: 15. Fishing: 4.
Other Activities: One person with large camera was searching for Snowy Plovers.. Motorized vehicles not allowed on this specific beach. They are allowed 1/2 mile north..
Concerns
People/dogs/vehicles in closure areas
Apparent violations: Dog tracks in area south of access point #110, which is off limits to dogs. Dogs are allowed north of access point #110..Notable Wildlife
On every visit I have spotted at least 1 Osprey hunting at mouth of Siltcoos River. On this day I also spotted a large group (20+) of gulls, with a mixture of juveniles and adults (see photo). There was also a group of 5 sandpipers hopping from place to place. I try to locate the local colony of harbor seals that beach themselves along this stretch of beach. On this day, there were on the south side of Siltcoos River, as witnessed by 2 runners that had come from that direction.
Beached Birds
n/a
Stranded Marine Mammals
n/a
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Unusual concentration. More crab molts than usual (see photo).
Wrackline Content
Last photo shows green tinted sea foam. I'm wondering if it's from diatoms or from algae. It it's from algae, is this a harmful algal bloom?
New Development
n/a
Man-made Modifications
n/a
Natural Changes
n/a
Looking south from access point #110
Unknown bird tracks
Many shells in numerous wrack lines
No dogs allowed violation
More crab molts than usual
Skate egg case top view
Skate egg case bottom view
At mouth of Siltcoos River
Osprey hunting as estuary
Plover Nesting Area sign
Gulls of all ages
Report Images
Anna Yori
CoastWatcher
All Mile 161 Reports
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
What is life like on the Oregon coast beaches? Vellela vellela is a genus of hydrozoa (a group of little, predatory sea creatures) in the family Porpitidae. The Field trip on mile 161 we found amazing stuff from dead wildlife to stuff from Japan and China!
Siuslaw Stream Team
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
We walked along the wrack line of mile 161 and tallied the living and the non-living things we saw. We estimated how many of the big groups of living and non-living things are on the mile, tallied the living and non-living things we saw, and we took a few samples.
Siuslaw Middle School Stream Team
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
What evidence of living or non-living things is found in the wrack line of mile 161? We went to the lowest rackline first, then, while going back, explored the top rackline. Then we explored the river’s mouth and went back to the starting point in the middle. We went the other way until we got to the big yellow sign that said 109A. We did the same thing here, we went to the lowest rack line, then the highest wrack line on the way back. In conclusion, the beach has many living things on the shoreline, and you should be careful of things there. We found lots of shells and other things to put on our posters. By Kaydence Gonzales, Olive Dougherty, Lillian Olson, Ella Gilkey, Myla Streck, Kinsey Boggs
Siuslaw Stream Team
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
We are the shoreline group of the first quarter 6th-grade Stream Team.
Siuslaw Stream Team
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
I was pleasantly surprised to spot many juvenile plovers near the water's edge and further up the shore, sitting in scrapes. I was dismayed to find long expanses of dead jellies. As always, the osprey were feeding and then watching me from their perch on an old fallen tree.
Anna Yori
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
I was happy to see less human encroachment this time into the protected, fenced-off areas designated for the endangered Snowy Plovers.
Anna Yori
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
I monitor this location as a USFS Snowy Plover docent.
Anna Yori
Mile 161
Oregon Dunes NRA just north of Siltcoos River
Many abiotic and biotic factors can be found along the shoreline of Siltcoos Outlet, Florence Oregon. Overall, we found many living and non living things along the wrack line of mile 161.
Siuslaw Stream Team