Mile 184 - N of Ocean Beach Picnic Area, S of Squaw Creek - September 22, 2020

Report Details

The first day of fall on Ocean Beach! I saw many things that I have never noted on this beach particularly the number of dead sea birds and the abundance of crab casings. I also didn't observe any dogs on the beach, also a first. The high tide/drift line extended to the cliffside of the beach and was littered with crab casings, mussel shells and jellies. The beach also has lots of sand formations present and many rocks/rock fields observed in the summer months are covered. I also observed several driftwood structures but didn't note anyone in them. I did notice evidence of many fires/fire rings all along the beach.

Conditions

Temperature: 57 F. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W. Tide Level: 2.2 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 14. Walking or running: 12. Photography: 2.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 9. I didn't note any leg bands or entanglement but I have never seen so many dead birds on this mile. It appeared that 3 were gulls and 6 were cormorants.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt). It must be crab molting time as there was a huge number of crab casings. I saw some as large as a dinner plate. Also lots of giant mussel shells. I also counted over 15 jellies, mostly large.