Mile 171 - Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty - May 7, 2019

Report Details

Unplanned birding day at Heceta Beach this evening. Just light breezes this afternoon instead of the recent hurricane force gales. Those winds have created a large field of the temporary summer "transverse dunes" near the Driftwood Shores Resort. No marine wildlife observed, but lots of birds. Numerous large flocks of sanderlings feeding in the outwash, a juvenile bald eagle, several turkey vultures, willets with their long straight beaks, killdeers, and whimbrels with the long down-curved beaks on their seemingly undersized heads. Of course, the usual mobs of crows were patrolling the wet sand beach, digging out mole crabs for dinner.Technically on Mile 170, but the Siuslaw River's red navigation buoy #4 has been knocked out of its normal position and is now lodged against the South Jetty rocks. The local Coast Guard station was notified and they are aware of it.

Conditions

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW.

Human Activities

Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 2. Photography: 2.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 6.

Driftline Content

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