Mile 171 - Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty - February 27, 2018

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

Cars/trucks parking: 6.

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).