Mile 198 - Beachside State Park to Reynolds Creek - January 4, 2009

Report Details

Huge amounts of wood debris from river flooding, primarily. One dead Cormorant and two unidentifiable dead birds. Hauled off 50 lbs of garbage.

Conditions

Temperature: 38 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: -1.1 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 2. Walking or running: 2. Two walkers on beach...area was very quiet following recent storms.

Notable Wildlife

About 30 at shoreline--a mix of Western Sandpipers and Sanderlings. Only 3 Western Gulls. Only one wad of bull kelp.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 3. One dead Pelagic Cormorant, 2 other dead unidentifiable carcasses.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. The heaviest amount of wood debris we've ever seen on this mile. Large conifer logs, maple, also small debris, household wood s

Natural Changes

Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff. There was some evidence of bluff retreat over the entire mile.

Actions & Comments

Heavy amounts of driftwood, wood of all sizes--much appearing to be from river flooding. We picked up 50 lbs of garbage off of Beachside State Park...most of it with U.S. identification. There was not much fishing debris. There also was a very small petroleum product spill off of Beachside State Park (maybe 1 pint or so), but a clear petrol sheen showed from it.