Mile 171 - Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty - October 26, 2017

Report Details

Almost a complete absense of the heavy green/brownish algae that's been washing ashore the past several weeks. Still a gazillion of 1/4" "Cat's Eye"comb jellies (Pleurobrachia bachei) in the wrack line along the entire mile. Two skate egg casings (Mermaid's purses) were washed up on the beach (photo). What's new this week is the thin 1/2-1" long "cellophane" tube worm feeding tubes (?) washing up in long clusters of fiber-like material (photo). This was the subject of a biologist's report last year in response to coast-watcher reports.Hailing all marine worm experts - Do these guys lose their feeding tubes on a regular basis and grow new ones, or is it the result of a seasonal mass die-off and the washed-uptubes are the remains?? There must be gazillions of them out there to generate so much debris on the beach!

Conditions

Temperature: 68 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW.

Human Activities

Number of people: 17. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 10. Sitting: 3. Fishing: 1.

Concerns

Fire

Apparent violations: Abandoned fire burning in driftwood logs next to Siuslaw River North Jetty.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 6.

Notable Wildlife

Several harbor seals foraging in the near-shore surf.

Driftline Content