Mile 197 - San Marine, Tillicum Beach, Tillicum Beach CG - November 29, 2014

Report Details

A fair number of people were out walking, considering the sharply chilly day. Only three or four dogs, the most memorable a miniature dachsund attacking the surf, urged on by its owner. It was fun and surprising to see a game of bocce ball in progress. Runoff from last night's rain was still carving its way through the sand from the bluffs all along the mile. Most of the five Northern Fulmar carcasses in the drift line had been well picked over. Thanks to the CoastWatch update for providing me with the ID -- Cassin's Auklets -- of the three smaller beached birds I saw. There were quite a few plastic fragments on the beach. Many were yellowed and/or mossy and looked to me like tsunami debris. See photos for a couple of nonplastic items that also seemed to have made a long journey to the Oregon shore. Close to the turnaround point I found a handy trash-collection receptacle, so I picked up whatever would fit into it on my way back.

Conditions

Temperature: 48 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 6.3 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 20. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 15. Other Activities: Bocce ball. Perhaps because of the chilly weather, most people were walking fairly briskly. First time I've seen a game of bocce ball on the beach!

Concerns

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 1.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 8. 5 Northern Fulmars, 3 Cassin's Auklets

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. A fair number of hard plastic pieces and smaller items like bottle tops.