Mile 184 - N of Ocean Beach Picnic Area, S of Squaw Creek - November 19, 2022

Report Details

It was a warm, sunny day on Ocean Beach. The recent high tides have moved a lot of summer sand off the beach exposing rock fields up and down the beach. There were a few people rock hunting. A sign is posted warning pet owners about the current outbreak of leptospirosis. A distressed sea lion was observed on the southern end of the beach. I reported it to ODFW. I also warned two dog owners in the parking lots advising them to leash their dogs as directed by the warning sign. They appreciated the warning and left the beach. There was a large concentration of white, rod shaped organisms about one inch in length all along the beach in the drift line. I was not able to identify them. The first king tides of the season are next week. I have filed a report with COASST (Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team).

Conditions

Temperature: 51 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SE. Tide Level: 4.7 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 21. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 17. Lots of people out enjoying the sunshine and mild weather.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 7.

Beached Birds

I have filed a report with COASST.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. Sea lion observed on the southern end of Ocean Beach. I didn't approach but it was clear the animal was in distress. I filed a report with ODFW. Also, there is a sign posted regarding the leptospirosis outbreak. I let people with dogs know of the sea lion's location.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. There were large concentrations of small, white rods about one inch long. They were present in large numbers all along the beach in the debris line.

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt). There were large concentrations of small, white rods about one inch long. They were present in large numbers all along the beach in the debris line.