March 13, 2009

Report Details

Spring is not very much in evidence on mile 192, although there are subtle signs of change. There is plentiful new algal growth in and around areas of seepage and runoff in the rocky areas, particularly adjacent to bluffs. Sea thrift is starting to bloom and there are a few other wildflowers. There is little erosion to report, although there is minor slumping of bluffs and some slopes close to the southern end of the mile. We did notice some differences from the same time last year, after reviewing our March 2008 report. The level of marine bird activity this year seemed much lower. We saw surf scoters and a grebe on the water, oystercatchers flying, a few cormorants and of course gulls, but the general level of activity viewed with binoculars over the water was lower than we expected. We saw sea stars at the north end of the mile, but not many elsewhere. Last year we noted that the rocks even fairly far from the water's edge were covered with new barnacles, but this year the barnacle population seemed smaller and less widespread. Also some areas that were crowded with mussels last year are this year much less so, with more open areas. There are still large colonies of mussels at waterline in most places, and fresh shell deposits show that gulls and other birds are feeding here. Anemones seemed plentiful at waterline in most areas. We saw 2 or 3 dozen sea lions sunning themselves on the rocks at the very south end of the mile. We collected quite a bit of garbage on this walk, mostly plastic pieces, bottles and styrofoam pieces of marine origin, doubtless washed in by winter storms.