Mile 171 - Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty - December 2, 2008

Report Details

Really quiet afternoon on Heceta Beach today for a change. Several large balls of bull kelp along the mile, along with the occasional palm kelp, small perennial kelp, surf grass, and individual bull kelp stalks. Few birds observed today, along with just a few Sea Nettle (reddish) jellies washed up. A deceased small harbor seal pup apparently justed washed in on this tide, as there was no scavanger damage so far. No external sign of injury, other than being very thin. The 36" county drainpipe just south of the Driftwood Shores complex was venting a noticable raw sewage aroma. See the recent comments by the Webmaster and Oyster concerning ongoing issues of sewage leaking onto Heceta Beach at this location.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Walking or running: 1. Fishing: 1.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2.

Notable Wildlife

Several Bufflehead ducks in the Siuslaw River, and the usual gaggle of gulls. No other bird species observed today.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. URK - too far gone to ID

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. One dead harbor seal pup freshly washed ashore. No scavanger damage to carcass yet.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Several fresh Sea Nettle (reddish) jellies (or parts thereof) washed up at high tide line.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Shells, Wood pieces. Bull kelp, palm kelp, rockweed kelp, surf grass, and a few strands of "small perennial kelp".

Actions & Comments

Really quiet afternoon on Heceta Beach today for a change. Several large balls of bull kelp along the mile, along with the occasional palm kelp, small perennial kelp, surf grass, and individual bull kelp stalks. Few birds observed today, along with just a few Sea Nettle (reddish) jellies washed up. A deceased small harbor seal pup apparently justed washed in on this tide, as there was no scavanger damage so far. No external sign of injury, other than being very thin.The 36" county drainpipe just south of the Driftwood Shores complex was venting a noticable raw sewage aroma. See the recent comments by the Webmaster and Oyster concerning ongoing issues of sewage leaking onto Heceta Beach at this location.