Mile 184 Report
N of Ocean Beach Picnic Area, S of Squaw Creek
August 16, 2011
The 184 mile beach is beautiful with its extensive sand beach.
Report Details
The 184 mile beach is beautiful with its extensive sand beach. You can walk much further North from Ocean Beach entrance because of the high sand. I was at the beach a few days before this report when there was no wind and the parking lot at ocean Beach was very crowded. people were in the ocean and having picnics on the beach.The problem of people disturbance of nesting Guillemots is upsetting. If I see people climbing into the cave I do mention the birds. Some just ignore me and other are concerned and move away. I know Guillemots are common but hate to see them upset and not feed their young. It is wonderful to watch them flying into the cave with small silver fish in their beaks.
Conditions
Temperature: 62 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 0.2 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 8. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 2. Playing in sand: 6. Photography: 2. Pigeon Guillemots have been nesting in the first cave heading North. Sone people have been climbing on rocks in the cave and building rock sculptures. Birds were distressed by this a week ago. However I think they had finished raising young. This week they were roasting back on rocks in cave. Is there a way to put up a sign telling people not to disturb nesting birds?
Concerns
Disturbances: Disturbance of nesting seabirds
Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
About 10 Pigeon Guillemots. Foot prints of 2 River Otter toward North end of mile. Pelagic and Brandt's Cormorants on rocks. Lots of Surf Scoters in surf. Flocks of ducks flying in V formation out over ocean- too far out to ID. Lots of tiny sand castings on driftline. Worms? Some seaweed, not a lot.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 5. A few dead murres and 1 dead Cormorant on beach
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
nothing noticeable
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. Not many plastic pellets. Is this because the sand being washed on beach is covering them up. In June there were many pellets.
Natural Changes
Sand build up is huge. Sand dunes piling up against cliffs and mouth of 2 caves. Much more sand then I have seen in a long time. At low tide the beaches are much wider.
Actions & Comments
Picked up some large styrafoam pieces.
All Mile 184 Reports
Mile 184
N of Ocean Beach Picnic Area, S of Squaw Creek
One landslide noted on the north end of the mile.
Brandie Etzkorn
Mile 184
N of Ocean Beach Picnic Area, S of Squaw Creek
Ocean Beach was COVERED in Velella, By the Wind Sailors.
Kelly Simmons
Mile 184
N of Ocean Beach Picnic Area, S of Squaw Creek
It was a partly cloudy day on Ocean Beach.
simmonsk
Mile 184
N of Ocean Beach Picnic Area, S of Squaw Creek
It was a blustery day on Ocean Beach.
simmonsk
Mile 184
N of Ocean Beach Picnic Area, S of Squaw Creek
A bit of a blustery day on Ocean Beach.
simmonsk
Mile 184
N of Ocean Beach Picnic Area, S of Squaw Creek
Wow, what a change from the beginning of the month!
simmonsk
Mile 184
N of Ocean Beach Picnic Area, S of Squaw Creek
It was a cloudy, rainy day on Ocean Beach.
simmonsk
Mile 184
N of Ocean Beach Picnic Area, S of Squaw Creek
It was a partly sunny day on Ocean Beach.
simmonsk