April 14, 2025

Temperature: 54 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Tide Level: 7.25 feet.

Number of people: 49. Number of dogs: 7. Walking or running: 4. Sitting: 44. Fishing: 1.

Other Activities: Picnics. Wading. Playing with sticks. Marriage proposal.. This seems like a good place to introduce my companions for the day, Sascha and Emily, from Bedrock Theatre. They are working on a project with Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition (CoastWatchers). They were great honorary CoastWatchers and Sascha took the photos that accompany this report. They also made these observations: Sighted someone fishing on the jetty A couple piles of beach stuff nestled against the sand dunes - camp chairs, shoes, umbrella. We questioned whether they were abandoned but determined they were most likely the belongings of the families out and about on the mile. With the exception of the one large jug of iced tea on the other side of the dune, that looked abandoned. One large mushy kelp near the wrackline at the far end of the mile by the hotels Dead sea lion - unclear how old it was but definitely smelled of spoilt meat downwind Oily stagnant water by the hotel Lots of velella velella - some fresh, bright blue, most dried & white in clusters Bald eagles (one male, two juveniles) feasting on the bird, each waiting their turn. A loud crow waiting nearby. Large group of baby birds feeding/fluttering near the waters' edge. Sascha thinks these were sand pipers. Two seagulls hanging out with them..

Litter

See report above from Emily and Sascha

Total dead birds: 3. did not record

Total stranded mammals: 1. Long dead sea lion

Just thousands and thousands of valella valella washed up

We gathered inorganic trash to haul out. A moderate amount.

Did not notice new development.

none noted

Dunes appear to have grown. The little waterfall north of the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse State Park access is more constricted with a growing dune. Still a pretty little spot.