Mile 185 - S of Stonefield Beach Wayside, Tokatee Kloochman Wayside - June 18, 2014

Report Details

It was a lovely day and the tide was low so were were able to check on the condition of 84 sea stars. We divided them into orange and purple and looked for the wasting disease. Of the 26 orange ones, 11 had shriveled or flattened arms which were not hanging on or curled up. Of the 58 purple, 29 were diseased. Few had lesions but often the tops were bloated and without the usual pattern. We saw an occasional floating arm or parts of a dead star. It was all very sad and depressing.

Conditions

Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: -0.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 20. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 18.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 7.

Notable Wildlife

We did a sea star survey looking for wasting disease. We were able to check on 84 sea stars, 26 orange and 58 purple. Very few had lesions but their arms were flattened and shriveled, often not hanging on to anything. Many were bloated looking with none of the usual pattern on the top. Of the 26 orange ones we could examine, 11 were definitely sick. Of the 58 Purple 29 were diseased. We also saw floating arms, and a couple that were mostly gone. It was very depressing.Bird Count. 8 Barn Swallows, 3 Turkey Vultures, 1 Band Tailed Pigeon, 1 Raven, 2 Cliff Swallows, 6 Pigeon Guillemots, 6 Pelagic Cormorants, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Bald Eagle, 1 Harlequin Duck, 2 nesting Starlings, 1 Red Tailed Hawk, gulls and crows. 5 Harbor Seals, 1 Seal Lion.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. see above

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Wood pieces.

Lfleming

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