Mile 171 - Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty - December 25, 2016

Report Details

Beautiful sunny, if cold, winter morning on Heceta Beach. Large flocks of Sanderlings were feeding in the outwash, occasional harbor seal observed in the surf. Numerous "Pyrosoma atlanticum" colonial tunicates about 3-4" long washed up along Mile 171 (see photo). Large concentrations of inch-long fiberous cellophone worm feeding "tubes" washed into thick clumps, particularily near Driftwood Shores Resort (photo).

Conditions

Temperature: 41 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: E.

Human Activities

Number of people: 28. Number of dogs: 6. Walking or running: 15. Sitting: 3. Photography: 10. Fishing: 1.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 8.

Notable Wildlife

Common Loons feeding in the Siuslaw River by the North Jetty. Numerous large flocks of Sanderlings feeding in the wave outwash.

Driftline Content

Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces.

Natural Changes

Winter surf is continuing scalloping out sand from the "lagoon" area by the North Jetty. There is a 4-6' vertical sand bank which shows the amount of sand removal this winter.