May 18, 2021

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Tide Level: 1.3 feet.

Number of people: 25. Number of dogs: 8. Walking or running: 25.

A few Whimbrels at waters edge. A Greater White-fronted Goose in the dune vegetation, migrating on its way to breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra. A group of five Semipalmated Plovers, cousins to the threatened Western Snowy Plovers that nest in the sand along the Oregon coast. Like the goose, the Semipalmated Plovers are migrating north to their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra. No Western Snowy Plovers or nests were seen. The hard sand beach and big tides haven't made for suitable Snowy Plover nesting habitat here this season. The only Snowy Plover nests known so far this year between Waldport and Seal Rock have been five nests, all of which have failed, just north of Alsea Bay, and a currently active nest south of the Quail Street access. The threatened subspecies Seaside hoary elfin butterfly, which is associated with the native Kinnikinnick plant and is known in Oregon only at Pistol River and Driftwood Beach, is supposed to be flying this time of year. I looked in the Kinnikinnick that borders a trail which runs from the Driftwood parking lot south along the bluff toward Buckley Creek, but didn't see any. Unfortunately, some of the more mature Kinnikinnick is being crowded out by invasive Scotch Broom.

Very little driftline content

Just the PacWave South in-ground markers

The huge driftwood log that formerly supported a substantial leanto at Buckley Creek is now to the north, laying in the dunes 3-4 feet above beach level, indicating the scouring out of the beach sands and the depth of tidal/storm surges that have occurred here over the winter.