Mile 20 Report
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
February 2, 2010
Ten species of kelp/algae, Hydrozoa, Leather Bryozoa (Flustrellidra spinifera), a sponge (Neoesperiopsis), Sea Pork (Aplidium), small rocks, wood pieces and ocean-based debris in the driftline.
Report Details
Ten species of kelp/algae, Hydrozoa, Leather Bryozoa (Flustrellidra spinifera), a sponge (Neoesperiopsis), Sea Pork (Aplidium), small rocks, wood pieces and ocean-based debris in the driftline. Two bags of debris removed from beach. Seventeen Harbor Seals on an offshore rock or swimming in the bay. Two Black Oystercatchers on offshore rock. Canada Geese initially on Saddle Rock but flew to an adjacent rock to the south. Brown Pelicans flying offshore. Retreat of the bluff, landslides and slumps exposing tree roots. Massive sand removal from all beaches (North Cove, Middle Beach and South Beach) exposing boulder fields at base of bluff. The boulder fields were covered with many drift logs. The large plastic fish box has returned to the south beach. The air and ocean temperatures were both 52 degrees. The wind speed was 5.8 mph from SW. No other human activity on the beach.
Conditions
Temperature: 52 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW.
Notable Wildlife
Seventeen Harbor Seals on offshore rock or swimming in the bay. Two Black Oystercatchers on offshore rock. Canada Geese initially on Saddle Rock but flew to an adjacent rock to the south. Brown Pelicans flying offshore.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Small rocks, Wood pieces. Hydrozoa, Leather Bryozoa ( Flustrellidra spinifera), sponge (Neoesperiopsis species), Sea Pork (Aplidium)
Natural Changes
Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff, Landslides/major boulder falls. Sand removal from beach exposing boulder fields at base of bluff.
Actions & Comments
Comments: The kelp/algae in the driftline were: Fucus (Rockweed), Lessoniopsis (Strap Kelp), Saccharina (Sea Cabbage), Cystoseira (Northern Bladder Chain), Mazzaella (Iridescent Seaweed), Ahnfeltiopsis (Flat-tipped Forked Seaweed), Pterygophora (Old Growth Kelp), Egregia(Feather Boa Kelp), Cryptopleura (Ruffled Red Seaweed), and Rhodymenia (Pacific Rose Seaweed).The air and ocean temperatures were 52 degrees. The wind speed was 5.8 mph.The large plastic fish box has returned to the south beach. Two bags of debris removed from beach.
Report Images
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Saddle Rock, Crook Point
One person and two dogs were seen on the beach.
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Except for one small heavy patch of drift, the driftline was sparse with kelp/algae, Leather Bryozoa and crab carapaces.
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The driftline was absent except for two localized areas with terrestrial-derived leaves, mosses, wood pieces, some shredded blades of Pterygophora(Old Growth Kelp) and a few invertebrates and other algae and kelp.
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Peregrine Falcon resting on south end of Saddle Rock.
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Light driftline with 12 different genera of kelp and algae, terrestrial mosses, Leather Bryozoa (Flustrellidra corniculata), the flowering plant, Phyllospadix (Seagrass) and small rocks.
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Three boats seen drifting very close to offshore rocks.
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The south beach lacked driftline and sand has accumulated around the drift logs and over the large rocks at the base of the headland.
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The driftline was light on the southern and northern portions of the beach but heavy on the middle portion of the beach with large amounts of kelp/algae and forest duff.
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