December 18, 2008

Temperature: 36 F. Cloud Cover: Rain. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: W.

Number of people: 6. Walking or running: 1. Sitting: 5. Most visitors were sitting in the cars, waiting out the afternoon rain/snow squall passing thru at the time.

Large numnbers of gulls (100's) flying south along the open beach line in a continuous stream. Approximately 8-9 flights of brown pelicans (6-12 birds per flight) also flying south. Gulls, crows, and several large flocks of semipalmated plovers and sanderlings feeding in the surf. Cormorants and bufflehead ducks feeding in the Siuslaw River

Total dead birds: 1. juvenile gull

Several dozen small 3-6" Sea Nettle and about a dozen large (+/- 12") moon jellies washed up at the high tide line along the length of Mile 171.

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Wood pieces. Several large balls of bull kelp washed up, along with surf grass, palm kelp and numerous single strands of bull kelp along the

Continuous stream of 100's of gulls, with many brown pelicans mixed in, flying south along the surf line. Several large flocks of sanderlings and semipalmated plovers working their way south while feeding. The mile had a lot of individual bull kelp strands washed up, along with several very large bull kelp tangles. The multi-year collection of shells is starting to emerge as the sand migrates off-shore. Lots of new razor clam shells showing up.An unusual buoy of some sort has just washed ashore about 100 yards north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty. It is a roughly 18" by 36" cylindical shape, with a central 6" vertical open tube. No markings, but it is definitely not a crab pot or navigational buoy. Recent tire tracks by the buoy indicate the State Parks beach ranger has already checked out the new arrival.