Mile 171 - Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty - November 12, 2008

Report Details

Due to the strong wind from the south, a lot of sand was blowing north up the beach today. The huge flock of gulls seen the other day were gone, replaced with several sizable flocks of sanderlings, a dozen surf scoters, and the occasional line of brown pelicans flying off-shore. Several large balls of bull kelp have washed ashore. The entire mile has a lot of surf grass, palm kelp, and some rock kelp at the high tide line. The northern third of Mile 171 and the southern section of Mile 172 is covered with a huge concentration of mangled and surf-torn Sea Nettle jellies, with some Moon and Sea Blubber (Lion's Mane) jellies mixed in. It's almost impossible to walk the high tide line without stepping on bits and pieces of jelly!

Conditions

Temperature: 57 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Strong. Wind Direction: S.

Human Activities

Number of people: 7. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 3. Photography: 4.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 5. RVs/Buses parking: 1.

Notable Wildlife

The surf scoters are back - about a dozen feeding in the near shore surf. Several large flocks of sanderlings feeding, and a 100+ gaggle of gulls sitting out the wind amidst a huge collection of mangled jellyfish bits and pieces.

Beached Birds

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

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Huge concentration of smashed and torn up Sea Nettle jellies (reddish color) all over the northern half of Mile 171 and the southern part of Mile 172. Some Sea Blubber (Lion's Mane), Moon jellies mixed in with the carnage. It was almost impossible to walk the beach south of the Driftwood Shores hotel complex without stepping on jelly debris. Only a few animals were intact enough to ID.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Shells, Wood pieces. Significant amounts of surf grass, palm kelp, some rockweed, and the occasional large ball of bull kelp along the mile today.

Actions & Comments

Due to the strong wind from the south, a lot of sand was blowing north up the beach today. The huge flock of gulls seen the other day were gone, replaced with several sizable flocks of sanderlings, a dozen surf scoters, and the occasional line of brown pelicans flying off-shore.Several large balls of bull kelp have washed ashore. The entire mile has a lot of surf grass, palm kelp, and some rock kelp at the high tide line.The northern third of Mile 171 and the southern section of Mile 172 is covered with a huge concentration of mangled and surf-torn Sea Nettle jellies, with some Moon and Sea Blubber (Lion's Mane) jellies mixed in. It's almost impossible to walk the high tide line without stepping on bits and pieces of jelly!