Mile 202 Report
North Spit Alsea River
January 14, 2020
A chilly north wind but still beautiful on Mile 202, which I had virtually all to myself.
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A chilly north wind but still beautiful on Mile 202, which I had virtually all to myself. I previously walked 202 on 12/30/19 and wanted to view any changes after a weekend of storms and King Tides. Sand appeared to have been deposited on the rolling dunes along the northern half of the mile, but I saw new erosion on the southern half (see photos). There was a little more large driftwood but not appreciable. One of the two sand dumps I had previously seen is sloughing off, and areas of the sheer southern sand bluffs have eroded. I also saw erosion of the sand bank below one of the more vunerable houses on the bay side of the beach near the tip of Alsea Spit. More pollution than before, mostly chunks of styrofoam and plastic bottles, probably marine-origin from the storms and which I collected and carried out.
Conditions
Temperature: 41 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 8.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 1. Walking or running: 1.
Concerns
Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Notable Wildlife
A couple dozen gulls sitting on the beach at the tip of Alsea Spit, others flying. A Great Blue Heron flying over to land in the surf to fish. 6 or 8 small groups of I believe Western Snowy Plovers taking shelter against the sheer dunes in the southern part of 202, running away as I walked down the beach. Another group of a dozen or so flying up the beach. A harbor seal sticking its head up in the surf.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 4. 1 Cassin's Auklet 3 gulls (believe California Gull). Two of the gulls had been partially eaten by scavengers.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Wood pieces, Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). Scattered "wind-sailors." A dozen or so plastic bottles and some miscellaneous debris.
Natural Changes
Visible retreat of solid bluff. See Summary
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Jon French
CoastWatcher
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