Mile 169 - North end Siuslaw South Jetty Road - September 7, 2015

Report Details

After camping overnight on the beach, a couple of visitors from Dubai returned to find their rental car with a smashed window and one slashed tire. Not a good impression of Oregon.Then I was greeted to a dead sea lion and a sick appearing gull. Couldn't get close to the gull to see what might be the problem, just very listless.Other than that not too cheery beginning, the day was as near perfect for a beach walk as one could ask for...very little wind, mild temperature and plenty of sunshine. The final day of the Labor Day weekend brought out many more people than the normal one or two. Many dogs, babies and shirtless sun-seekers. One one brave soul (a kid) ventured cautiously into the surf. The crab pier was being put to good use with 10 or so trying their luck (mainly fishing) from the structure.Overall, with the exception of the Dubai vacationers, people were enjoying the perfect ocean day.

Conditions

Temperature: 64 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 5.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 41. Number of dogs: 12. Walking or running: 29. Playing in surf: 2. Fishing: 10. Other Activities: picnicing.

Concerns

Disturbances: Disturbance of nesting seabirds

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 16. RVs/Buses parking: 7.

Notable Wildlife

One listless gull. 3 more active gulls small flock of sanderlings. 2 unidentified piper type birds approx 12" tall with long down-turned bill. too far away to get photo.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. sea lion (deceased) fairly recent beaching. No odor or sign of decomposition.

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam. jellyfish