Mile 202 Report
North Spit Alsea River
January 23, 2023
Since my last Mile 202 walk in mid December, King Tides and storms have deposited a large amount of driftwood up and down the beach and have eroded portions of the foredune along the more narrow northern end of the mile.
Report Details
Since my last Mile 202 walk in mid December, King Tides and storms have deposited a large amount of driftwood up and down the beach and have eroded portions of the foredune along the more narrow northern end of the mile. The King Tides themselves have been relatively mild, with the storms and accompanying rains, high winds, and heavy surf, the strongest on December 27th, contributing to most of the changes seen here. Although some of the new driftwood may be marine in origin, I think most of it flows down the Alsea River during high water and out to sea, from where it's soon washed back ashore, with the heaviest concentrations occurring on Mile 202 just north of Alsea Bay and to the south along the beach at Gov. Patterson State Park. As has happened before, the storms and rough beach conditions have temporarily scattered the 40 to 50 Snowy Plovers who winter here, but as before they'll probably return now with the better weather. Although commercial crabbing season started a week ago, I didn't find any crabbing or other marine debris, and only a couple of beachgoing items, a dog frisbee and a plastic toy. Beginning in February, I'll be doing monthly beached bird surveys for COASST (Coastal Observation And Seabird Survey Team) on this mile.
Conditions
Temperature: 45 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Tide Level: 3.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 5.
Notable Wildlife
None, just some Gulls at the mouth of Alsea Bay. None of the 40-50 Western Snowy Plovers who winter here were seen today, probably temporarily scattered to other locations because of the recent storms and rough beach conditions.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 3. One wing, one intact Cassins Auklet, one unidentifiable remains. I just completed COASST's beached bird online training, and in February I'll begin doing monthly beached bird surveys on Mile 202 for COASST, to be designated by COASST as ORMI202.
Driftline Content
Wood pieces. There was very little driftline or other beach content except the new driftwood washed ashore by the recent King Tides and storms.
Natural Changes
Erosion of vegetated foredune. Some foredune erosion along the north portion of Mile 202 resulting from King Tides and storms, and new driftwood all along the beach.
Composite photo taken at same location showing 11 Snowy Plovers along wet sand line on Dec 13 and storm surge Dec 27
Composite, driftwood looking south 10/2022 and 1/23/2023
Composite, looking north 12/13/2022 and 1/23/2023, showing new driftwood
Foredune erosion after 12/27/2022 storm
Example of new sand accretion after King Tides and storms
Driftwood in Alsea Bay during 12/27/2022 storm
Just a wing, but for COASST a "beached bird" to survey
Scavenged Cassin's Auklet, small size and bluish feet
Gulls at the mouth ("The Jaws") of Alsea Bay
Report Images
Jon French
CoastWatcher
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The beach was fairly cool today after 99 degrees two days ago.
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