Mile 200 - Big Stump Beach, south Patterson SP - 01/05/2026

Report Details

Walked the mile early this morning at low tide so that it was easier to cross Patterson Creek. The beach was covered with large logs and trees (some with green needles), branches and sticks. The creek also contained this debris. As I walked south away from Alsea Bay, there were less trees and large logs, but branches and sticks cluttered the wrack line. Saw 2 wood pallets and various construction wood with nails. Only saw 2 walkers this morning which is unusual. I turned around at Big Stump and as I walked north near the vegetation and cliffs below the cottages, I noticed the sand built up near the stairs to the cottages. The usual trash was here and there in the sand near the bank. Saw 2 dead birds – a murre and not sure the other. The crows and gulls were searching through the debris, but as I walked in the sandy area I stumbled across a group of snowy plovers. They hide so well and were so still that they took me by surprise, although I have seen them around this area before in the winter.

Conditions

Temperature: 41.3 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 3.13 feet.

Activities

Number of people: 2. Number of dogs: 2.

Notable Wildlife

Gulls - 9 Crows - 4 Snowy Plovers - 17

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 2. 1 - murre 1 - not sure

Wrackline Content

Lots of trees, logs, branches and sticks

Natural Changes

Sand deposition.

Report Images

Patterson Creek looking south

Logs in Patterson Creek

Looking south

Various construction wood and pallets

Sand built up by dunes - path to 101 near SW Sea Way Loop

Sandstone Cliffs - no new graffiti

Fire pit near Inn at Sandcastle Beach

Wrack line on Big Stump beach

Tire and inner tube

Dead birds

Snowy Plovers

Various trash found near the sand bank

Report Images

Karen Funk

CoastWatcher

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