Report Details

Only one fresh Northern Fulmar carcass observed today. Lots of Cat's Eye comb jellies along the mile, with a few Sea Nettle jellies mixed in. A very dead sea lion (Steller female ??) has just washed ashore about half way on Mile 171. The carcass looks like it's been floating at sea for awhile.Lots of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl feeding in the Siuslaw River entrance area.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Rain. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S.

Human Activities

Number of people: 26. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 10.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 9.

Notable Wildlife

Pelicans, black turnstones, double-crested and pelagic cormorants, and common loon feeding in the Siulsaw River outlet. Several harbor seals feeding in the near surf.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 3. One Northern Fulmar recently washed ashore, one dead common murre at the high tide line, one unknown.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. One dead sea lion, about 8' long, recently washed ashore on this tide, near the mid-point on Mile 171. The body has lost most of its fur, and the outer skin covered with algae splotches, so it's probably been floating off-shore for a while.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Large numbers of fresh Cat's Eye comb jellies (Pleurobrachia bachei) in the high tide line. Only a few fresh Pacific Sea Nettle jellies (Chrysaora fuscescens) this time, compared to a gazillion of them washed up 5 days ago.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Styrofoam, Wood pieces.

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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