Mile 20 Report
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
May 17, 2011
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.
Report Details
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. The driftline contained 16 kinds of algae/kelp, Hydrozoa, Bryozoa, one Pisaster star, worm tubes, Sea Pork Tunicates and a skate egg case. The rocks washed by high tides were covered with thick mats of Porphyra (Nori/Laver). Black Oystercatchers foraging on offshore rock. Harbor Seals were swimming in bay and hauled out on offshore rocks. Three Turkey Vultures flying over Crook Point. Raccoon and deer tracks on the southern portion of the beach. Large landslides delivered trees to the beach at the southern end of the mile. Large boulders and logs were pressed against the headland of the south beach. Middle beach had some large rocky patches. The wind speed was only 0.7 mph. The air and ocean temperatures were 56 and 52.3 degrees, respectively. Two people on the beach-USFWS personnel.
Conditions
Temperature: 58 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW.
Human Activities
Number of people: 2. Other Activities: USFWS personnel.
Notable Wildlife
Black Oystercatchers foraging on offshore rock. Harbor Seals were swimming in bay and hauled out on offshore rocks. Three Turkey Vultures flying over Crook Point. Raccoon and deer tracks on the southern portion of the beach.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Wood pieces. One Pisaster star, Aplidium tunicate (sea pork), Skate egg case, worm tube.
Natural Changes
Major cracks appearing in bluffs, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff, Landslides/major boulder falls. Large landslides delivered trees to the beach at the southern end of the mile.
Actions & Comments
The driftline was light on the southern and northern portions of the beach but heavy on the middle portion of the beach with kelp/algae and forest duff. The kelp/algae found in the driftline were Pterygophora (Old Growth Kelp), Nereocystis (Bull Kelp), Callophyllis (Beautiful Leaf Seaweed), Neoptilota (Red Fan Seaweed), Rhodymenia (Pacific Rose Seaweed), Ahnfeltiopsis (Flat-tipped Forked Seaweed), Fucus (Rockweed), Porphyra (Nori/Laver), Cystoseira (Northern Bladder Chain), Egregia (Feather Boa Kelp), Pelvetiopsis (Little Rockweed), Pleurophycus (Broad-rib Kelp) Laminaria (Dense-clumped Kelp),Mazaella (Iridescent Seaweed), Cryptopleura (Ruffled Red Seaweed), and Hymenena (Black-lined Red Seaweed) The rocks washed by high tides were covered with thick mats of Porphyra (Nori/Laver). Surfgrass (Phyllospadix) also found in the driftline.The wind speed was only 0.7 mph. The air and ocean temperatures were 56 and 52.3 degrees , respectively.Large boulders and logs were pressed against the headland of the south beach. Middle beach had some large rocky patches.
Report Images
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All Mile 20 Reports
Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
One person and two dogs were seen on the beach.
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Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
Except for one small heavy patch of drift, the driftline was sparse with kelp/algae, Leather Bryozoa and crab carapaces.
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Saddle Rock, Crook Point
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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Saddle Rock, Crook Point
Peregrine Falcon resting on south end of Saddle Rock.
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Saddle Rock, Crook Point
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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Saddle Rock, Crook Point
Three boats seen drifting very close to offshore rocks.
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Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
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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Mile 20
Saddle Rock, Crook Point
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.
D Bilderback