Mile 171 - Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty - December 17, 2018

Report Details

Cruised Heceta Beach this afternoon just before the next big wind and rain storms blow on-shore. The entire mile is covered with smashed or sometimes fully intact Sea Nettle jellies Chrysaora fuscescens (photo). Numerous large balls of tangled bull kelp Nereocytis luetkeana are washed up along the north half of Mile 171 (photos). The recent high tides and big waves have flattened the summertime transverse dunes, pulling sand off the high beach and exposing long-buried driftwood logs. I observed a single osprey hovering, then grabbing a fish from the nearshore surf. Aern't they supposed to be well south of here by now? A few sanderlings were also spotted, along with the usual gaggles of the more common gull species hanging out in the flat just south of Driftwood Shore Resort. Several used disposable syringes were mixed into the usual natural debris of the high tide line near the North Jetty.

Conditions

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SE.

Human Activities

Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 2. Photography: 2.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 6.

Notable Wildlife

Osprey feeding in surf area. Should be well south by now.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.). Several used disposable syringes washed up on beach

Natural Changes

Evidence of wave overtopping. High tides and big surf have flattened the summer transverse dunes, exposing long-buried driftwood logs.