Mile 198 - Beachside State Park to Reynolds Creek - October 10, 2010

Report Details

The action of steady wind has created mini valleys on the upper shore. Very little animal casings or shell material. Two large bull kelp beds and one dead Common Murre. There was little humnan caused debris.

Conditions

Temperature: 58 F. Cloud Cover: Rain. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 4. Four walkers. One was accompanied by 2 dogs on leashes.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 1.

Notable Wildlife

@ large bull kelp beds and also some uprooted sea palms. We saw about 30 gulls at the mouth of Big Creek...primarily Western, but 5 Ring Billed also.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. One dead Common Murre at drift line. A crow was dining on the remains.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks. At a high driftline we saw razor clam casings,but saw no crab or shrimp casings. There were few small rocks showing.

Actions & Comments

We did notice what looks like the beginning of winter tide action---the redepositing of copious amounts of sand, but not much undertow action. The beach was relatively clear of fishing or land based debris. We picked up about 5 pounds of trash ( styrofoam, plastic banding material, plstic bottles, and one insulated metal coke can.)