Mile 171 - Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty - October 28, 2010

Report Details

One dead sun fish, about 12" long, washed up near the midsection of Mile 171. Two large clusters of thousands of Ochre Sea Stars also washed up - one grouping about a 1/4 mile north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty, the other large cluster just SW of the Driftwood Shores hotel complex. Many brown pelicans observed migrating southbound.

Conditions

Temperature: 56 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 4.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 3. RVs/Buses parking: 1.

Notable Wildlife

Lots of brown pelicans heading south, several large flocks of sanderlings feeding, two harbor seals in the surf.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 3. Two crows, one unknown

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Two large collections of several thousand Ochre Sea Stars washed up at the high tide line. One cluster about a 1/4 mile long north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty, the other large cluster just SW of the Driftwood Shores hotel complex.One dead sunfish about 1/2 mile north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty. Length about 12", top and bottom fins gone.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Shells, Styrofoam, Wood pieces.