Report Details

Lots of beach scum lines from the remains of the phytoplankton upwelling blooms washed up on the beach today. If the sun ever burns thru the fog, this beach will smell like a barnyard just like last summer! Scattered moon jellies (clear 4-12" diameter) washed up along this mile today. Possible 2 snowy plovers feeding in the surf. Big flock of brown pelicans feeding in the Siuslaw river entrance, while being chased by a larger horde of juvenile gulls, and a few harbor seals, too.

Conditions

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW.

Human Activities

Number of people: 20. Walking or running: 20.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 9.

Notable Wildlife

Several flocks of sanderlings with one or two willets hanging out with them, crows, gulls, and possibly 2 snowy plovers (sure looked like them) working the surf line. Large flock of brown pelicans, surrounded by even larger gaggle of juvenile gulls scooping up small fish on the Siuslaw River entrance.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. Common murre - juvenile

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Lots of clear jellies washed up on the beach, but not unusual concentration

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells.

Actions & Comments

Lots of beach scum lines from the remains of the phytoplankton upwelling blooms washed up on the beach today. If the sun ever burns thru the fog, this beach will smell like a barnyard just like last summer!Scattered moon jellies (clear 4-12" diameter) washed up along this mile today. Possible 2 snowy plovers feeding in the surf. Big flock of brown pelicans feeding in the Siuslaw river entrance, while being chased by a larger horde of juvenile gulls, and a few harbor seals, too.

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All Mile 171 Reports

Showing 8 of 123 reports

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

February 1, 2022

Nice morning to exercise the dog on Heceta Beach.

oldMGguy

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

March 9, 2021

Stunningly beautiful sunny morning for a beach stroll.

oldMGguy

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

December 7, 2020

Huge stranding of brownish-red "Pacific Sea Nettle" (Chrysaora fuscescens) and Moon (Aurelia labiata) jellies all along Mile 171 and Mile 172 today.

oldMGguy

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

November 23, 2020

Nice sunny afternoon for a stroll on Heceta Beach.

oldMGguy

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

May 18, 2020

Whimbrels and sanderlings were feeding in the surf wash zone.

oldMGguy

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

March 25, 2020

A nice morning walk today in the sunshine to practice my social distancing skills.

oldMGguy

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

October 19, 2019

Another nice Saturday afternoon for a stroll on Heceta Beach!

oldMGguy

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

September 6, 2019

A nice quiet wind-free afternoon to stroll Heceta Beach after the summer crowds have dispersed.

oldMGguy