December 12, 2016

Temperature: 47 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 10.3 feet.

Number of people: 8. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 6. Photography: 1. Fishing: 1. The vehicles were in the Day Use area of South Beach State Park

Litter, Kelp/algae collection

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

We saw a hundred sanderling feeding amongst all the kelp at the high tide line. We now have 10 Snowy Plover on the beach near the Day Use area, usually sitting in footprints, or running to the shoreline to feed. They seem very clever avoiding dogs and people.

Total dead birds: 4. 3 Seagulls , 1 grebe

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). The King Tide brought in an abundance of kelp and algae, as well as logs and driftwood of many sizes.

I pulled a large amount of green fishing net, black fishing net and a long blue rope out of a kelp heap at the high tide line and placed it in a laundry basket, found on the beach, and placed it high above the high tide. I contacted a ranger at South Beach State Park and they agreed to pick it up.