Mile 215 - Yaquina Bay SP, North Jetty Yaquina River - 03/09/2026

Report Details

Large number of velella velellas on the beach (both very small and large), numbering in the several thousands. The majority were left-hand orientation (sail at ~11/5), but numerous right-hand orientation as well (sail at ~1/6). Didn't seem to be a pattern to their distribution, with lefties and righties sometimes within inches of each other. Few people and little trash. Thousands of gulls in the surf and overhead. Found a pinniped carcass near the jetting well up above the wrack line. Found a dead heron that swallowed a hook and was also ensnared in fishing line, as well as a dead gull with leg bands. As I was leaving the beach two paragliders were gliding over the beach.

Conditions

Temperature: 45 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 0.6 feet.

Activities

Number of people: 19. Number of dogs: 4.

Other Activities: Paragliding.. Recent ATV/OHV tracks, but no ATV/OHV seen..

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 2. 1 dead heron with no leg bands, ensnared in fishing line, with line into it's mouth, down it's throat and into it's stomach with a hook. Additional line and hook wrapped around the bird. (see attached picture) 1 dead gull with two leg bands - one red with white lettering "1J5", and one stainless steel with "www.reportband.com" "1-800-327-BAND" and "1176-63510" imprinted on the band. (see attached picture)

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. One dead pinniped, most likely a sea lion. I smelled it before I saw it. Some skin/fur still intact, some bone exposed. Carcass was mostly covered by sand. (see attached photo)

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Large number (many thousands) of velella vellellas. Both large and small, right-hand and left-hand orientation.