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!

Share this post

All Mile 171 Reports

Showing 8 of 123 reports

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

February 1, 2022

Nice morning to exercise the dog on Heceta Beach.

oldMGguy

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

March 9, 2021

Stunningly beautiful sunny morning for a beach stroll.

oldMGguy

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

December 7, 2020

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

November 23, 2020

Nice sunny afternoon for a stroll on Heceta Beach.

oldMGguy

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

May 18, 2020

Whimbrels and sanderlings were feeding in the surf wash zone.

oldMGguy

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

March 25, 2020

A nice morning walk today in the sunshine to practice my social distancing skills.

oldMGguy

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

October 19, 2019

Another nice Saturday afternoon for a stroll on Heceta Beach!

oldMGguy

Mile 171

Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty

September 6, 2019

A nice quiet wind-free afternoon to stroll Heceta Beach after the summer crowds have dispersed.

oldMGguy