Mile 173 Report
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
October 5, 2017
Hundreds of resting gulls, 8 humans 12 dogs-No humans encountered beyond the north of the creek mouth.
Report Details
Hundreds of resting gulls, 8 humans 12 dogs-No humans encountered beyond the north of the creek mouth. One set human and 1 set dog prints entering from the north. The beach was deserted. Sand barren. Very few shells N of Sutton Creek. 2 Separate incidences noted... dog owners and/or humans disturbing the resting and feeding gulls at the shoreline, south of the creek. Yellow nylon rope protruding from the sand at the dunes. Human shoeprints surrounding it. Unless this is a remnant from plover nexting enclosure, no other signs of enclosure visible. Large remnants of wooden pallets and other wood on dunes. Photos will be included.
Conditions
Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 1.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 8. Number of dogs: 12. Walking or running: 6. Photography: 1.
Concerns
Litter
Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 6.
Notable Wildlife
175-200 gulls surrounding the mouth of Sutton Creek. 6 Black birds ( crows/ravens) at shoreline with the gulls and up on the beach.
Driftline Content
Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). wooden pallets, nylon rope
New Development
unknown
Man-made Modifications
At this time, no baseline for comparison
Natural Changes
No baseline information
Actions & Comments
No humans encountered beyond the north of the creek mouth. One set human and 1 set dog prints entering from the north. The beach was deserted. Sand barren. Very few shells N of Sutton Creek. 2 Separate incidences noted... dog owners and/or humans disturbing the resting and feeding gulls at the shoreline, south of the creek. Yellow nylon rope protruding from the sand at the dunes. Human shoeprints surrounding it. Unless this is a remnant from plover nexting enclosure, no other signs of enclosure visible. Large remnants of wooden pallets and other wood on dunes. Photos included.
Ariana172
CoastWatcher
All Mile 173 Reports
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
Hundreds of resting gulls, 8 humans 12 dogs-No humans encountered beyond the north of the creek mouth.
Ariana172
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
It has been a couple of months since I have had time to visit my mile.
cheshire
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
This is the first chance that I have had to walk this mile in several weeks.
cheshire
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
Walked miles 172-174 from south to north, then cut across the dunes inland and followed Sutton Creek back out to the ocean.
cheshire
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
The beach itself is cleaner than it has been, but there is quite a bit of debris that has blown into the dunes and into the area between the dunes and the brush on the north and west sides of Sutton Creek.
cheshire
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
Went back to Baker Beach, walking miles 172-176.
cheshire
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
I was able to cross the creek and check out the part of miles 173-174 North of Sutton Creek for the first time this year.
cheshire
Mile 173
South end of Baker Beach, Sutton Creek, Heceta Beach
Sutton Creek continues to migrate north, and the mouth of the creek has widened considerably.
cheshire