Mile 202 Report
North Spit Alsea River
July 22, 2020
"Snowy Plovers are Here!
Report Details
"Snowy Plovers are Here!" announces the children's artwork sign posted by Beach Ranger Doug Sestrich at the Bayshore Beach Club beach access just north of a new Western Snowy Plover nest. See photos. On July 13th, Doug spotted a plover and nest with one egg, and Roy Lowe subsequently saw two eggs (three is optimum). Snowy plovers winter on the beach along Mile 202, but successful nests are rare here in large part because of the heavy recreational beach use. Due to the location and strong north winds with blowing sand, Doug waited to see if the nest survived before putting up a protective rope buffer. On July 19th, he roped the nest, now with only one egg, the second probably buried by blowing sand. As of today, a plover is still on the nest--mom usually incubates during the day, dad at night. They're tough little birds, and hopefully they'll prevail against the human disturbance, dogs, kites, coyotes, crows, wind and blowing sand, and we'll see a chick around August 10th or so.
Conditions
Temperature: 60 F. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 5.0 feet.
Snowy Plovers are Here!
Plover rope buffer and beachgoers in background
Fuzzy plover on nest behind buffer sign
Plover on nest behind buffer rope
Report Images
Jon French
CoastWatcher
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Mile 202
North Spit Alsea River
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Mile 202
North Spit Alsea River
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