Mile 172 Report
Heceta Beach North, Driftwood Shores
May 11, 2023
Nice sunny day for flinging the "Chuck-It" ball into the surf for the dog.
Report Details
Nice sunny day for flinging the "Chuck-It" ball into the surf for the dog. He loves it! Found a dead adult osprey (photo attached) just washed ashore, no obvious signs of injury or entanglement. Their talons are scary fierce when observed up close! Occasional clusters of 1-2" Vellela vellela (By-The-Wind Sailors) along Mile 172. Sutton Creek has moved its beach outlet about 1/4 mile further north than it's usual position.
Conditions
Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W.
Activities
Number of people: 9. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 7.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 6.
Notable Wildlife
Two bald eagles, lots of sanderlings
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 1. Adult Osprey
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Half dozen Ochre sea stars washed ashore, mostly adult sized (they're back!). Occasional clusters of Velella velella (By-The-Wind Sailors) washed in, most 1-2 inches in length.
Wrackline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings or molts, Wood pieces.
Deceased adult Osprey. Impressive talons when viewed up close!
Report Images
oldMGguy
CoastWatcher
All Mile 172 Reports
Mile 172
Heceta Beach North, Driftwood Shores
The disappearance of the 6 ft sandbluff along Sutton Creek
lyndell
Mile 172
Heceta Beach North, Driftwood Shores
Biggest feature was the big bluff caused by the flow of Sutton Creek as it made its way to the ocean.
lyndell
Mile 172
Heceta Beach North, Driftwood Shores
One decomposing seal and one dead sea gull or Murre?
Lyndell Wilken
Mile 172
Heceta Beach North, Driftwood Shores
Another glorious sunny winter day at Heceta Beach! The recent high tides have washed away most of the summer dunes that accumulate on the high beach in front of the vegetation zone. Just another day in paradise!
Dick Mason
Mile 172
Heceta Beach North, Driftwood Shores
Lots of wood debris stacked up on the beach from past high tide and storms.
Lyndell Wilken
Mile 172
Heceta Beach North, Driftwood Shores
Louie the Lab and I chased his Chuck-It ball from Driftwood Shores north to Sutton Creek and back today.
oldMGguy
Mile 172
Heceta Beach North, Driftwood Shores
Nice sunny day for flinging the "Chuck-It" ball into the surf for the dog.
oldMGguy
Mile 172
Heceta Beach North, Driftwood Shores
There were two dead sea lions in a 1 mile stretch between Driftwood Shores and the north jetty.
Lyndell