Mile 199 - Beachside SP, Waconda Beach, Little Creek - March 25, 2016

Report Details

It was a very nice day to be on the beach. This was most evident by the number of people on the beach and the variety of activities that they were doing from digging holes and writing in the sand, playing in the surf, to meeting with strangers, to walking dogs to picking through the high tide line. The ocean was calm, much calmer than the most recent storms. There did not seem to be hardly any fishing vessels working the area today. There should be plenty of items that can be picked up tomorrow for beach cleanup day but most is relatively small. The largest item I found was the tire/rim just south of Little Creek. Except for the smelly V. velella, the expanse of the beach is very clean with not much wood (logs etc) except way up at and beyond the high tide line. Especially at Little Creek and some near Beachside. Finding the glass float was pleasing to us.

Conditions

Temperature: 52 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 0.7 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 40. Number of dogs: 8. Walking or running: 20. Playing in surf: 7. Playing in sand: 8. Other Activities: It appears that many beach walkers, etc., came from Beachside State Park campground, recently reopened for the season..

Concerns

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Notable Wildlife

About two dozen seagulls

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. Seagull

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. A large amount of Velella velella (by-the-wind sailors) on the beach from the low tide line to the high tide line.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea). Tire on rim, various fishing floats including a 4" glass one, various plastic items (bottles, baskets, unknown plastic parts)

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune.

Actions & Comments

No. One set of beach stairs from a residence down onto the beach is in the process of being removed/replaced after being virtually destroyed by the high surf.

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