Mile 171 Report
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
February 27, 2018
More dead critters on Heceta Beach.
Report Details
More dead critters on Heceta Beach. The previously reported recently deceased sea lion yearling was nowhere to be found on Mile 171 today, but I found another mangled sea lion corpse up in the high beach log pile about a 1/4 mile south of the Driftwood Shores Resort. Looks like a shark bit off the head, plus a lot of scavenger damage. This one has been deceased for several weeks. Two very happy turkey vultures were hanging out nearby.Several "Sea Nettle" jellies observed along the mile. The high tide line of the north section of Mile 171 is heavily coated with 1" long fiberous cellophane tube worm feeding tubes/feelers/tongues (?).The Army Corps of Engineers has sent out a crew to paint over the offensive spray-paint graffitti on the Siuslaw River North Jetty vehicle barrier rocks. They did a nice job of matching the natural rock colors - thanks, guys!
Conditions
Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S.
Human Activities
Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 2. A woman was urging her elderly Lab to intentionally chase a nearby large flock of resting gulls. The dog wasn't having it and refused to do so. Good dog!
Concerns
Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
First Turkey Vultures of the season observed on Heceta Beach.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. Very dead Steller (?) sea lion well up into the high beach log pile, about 1/4 mile south of the Driftwood Shores Resort. Looks like a shark bit off the head, plus lots of scavenger damage. This one has been dead for several weeks.
Driftline Content
Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt).


Report Images
All Mile 171 Reports
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
Nice morning to exercise the dog on Heceta Beach.
oldMGguy
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
Stunningly beautiful sunny morning for a beach stroll.
oldMGguy
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
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
Nice sunny afternoon for a stroll on Heceta Beach.
oldMGguy
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
Whimbrels and sanderlings were feeding in the surf wash zone.
oldMGguy
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
A nice morning walk today in the sunshine to practice my social distancing skills.
oldMGguy
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
Another nice Saturday afternoon for a stroll on Heceta Beach!
oldMGguy
Mile 171
Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty
A nice quiet wind-free afternoon to stroll Heceta Beach after the summer crowds have dispersed.
oldMGguy