Report Details

It was beach clean-up day on the Oregon Coast, and as usual, it was held in tandem with the "Whale Watching Spoken Here" event, of which one viewing location is along mile 178. When I checked with one of the volunteer staff, she said whale sightings were scarce, but there had been five confirmed ones so far that morning. There were no surprises with litter volume, as I was just there the week before and had a preview of what to expect. Myself, my daughter, and my Dad collectively filled five bags. It was typical litter; styrofoam, plastic bottles, marine debris. With our eyes focused on the ground looking for litter, we ended up finding numerous good sized agates. We also picked up some litter along the highway. With just a few exceptions, all the sea lions seemed to be in the caves again, with 200+ reported inside.

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 3.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 3. Other Activities: Litter removal. "Whale Watching Spoken Here" program was occurring from the lookout on the bluff above Cape Cove. "Great Oregon Beach Clean-up" was taking place statewide and three generations of my family took part.

Concerns

Litter

Notable Wildlife

A few sea lions on the rocks at North entrance to Sea Lion Caves. By twelve noon, five whale sightings were reported by Whale watching staff today.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. The drift line at Cape Cove is sure a lot cleaner now.

Natural Changes

Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff.

Actions & Comments

I continue to keep a close eye on the progression of erosion in a` couple problem areas, documenting it with photos.

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All Mile 178 Reports

Showing 8 of 24 reports

Mile 178

Cape Cove, Sea Lion Point, Sea Lion Caves

April 1, 2016

This is my end-of-quarter report for the first quarter of this year.

Brien M

Mile 178

Cape Cove, Sea Lion Point, Sea Lion Caves

January 1, 2016

It was New Year's Day morning, and no better way to begin 2016 than a visit to my beach!

Brien M

Mile 178

Cape Cove, Sea Lion Point, Sea Lion Caves

November 26, 2015

It was Thanksgiving morning 2015.

Brien M

Mile 178

Cape Cove, Sea Lion Point, Sea Lion Caves

September 19, 2015

It was the annual Great Oregon Fall Beach Clean-up event today.

Brien M

Mile 178

Cape Cove, Sea Lion Point, Sea Lion Caves

September 27, 2014

The annual Fall beach clean-up was today, and weather conditions could not have been better.

Brien M

Mile 178

Cape Cove, Sea Lion Point, Sea Lion Caves

August 24, 2014

My coast mile has many areas that can only be accessed by water.

Brien M

Mile 178

Cape Cove, Sea Lion Point, Sea Lion Caves

August 16, 2014

It was a very comfortable Saturday morning low tide.

Brien M

Mile 178

Cape Cove, Sea Lion Point, Sea Lion Caves

May 31, 2014

It was a minus tide, and it allowed me to observe the invertebrates living on the "off-shore" rocks.

Brien M