Report Details

Sea lion corpse, seven dead birds, the rubber fishing lures, much fishing rope, decomposed jellies, and copious amounts of marine and land debris were all notable observations. Virtually every type of common trash was noted, including bags, utensils, wrappers, hard plastic, wires, and styrofoam.

Conditions

Temperature: 47 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Tide Level: 4.1 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 43. Number of dogs: 13. Walking or running: 14. Sitting: 6. Tidepooling: 3. Surfing: 2. Fishing: 1. Other Activities: Most people on the beach focused on just walking or running, or walking dogs. Few recreational or fun activities were being practiced due to the cold weather, and the high waves, along with the wind blowing at a fair rate. Dogs were common on the beach, much more so than the last time I was there.. No cars on beach like last time, no harmful human activities observed happening.

Concerns

Litter

Apparent violations: The beach had much litter on it, and especially concerning were the rubber fishing lures scattered throughout the high tide line area (I collected a total of 9 of them). Ironically speaking, I lost a lure exactly like that during a fishing trip a year back, so maybe these lures should be phased out as a threat to biodiversity and sea life?.

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Notable Wildlife

A few live gulls (number not estimated) and plovers observed towards the south end of Nye Beach.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 7. All dead birds found were murres with the exception of a single kittiwake, which was the first bird to be found. No leg bands were noticed.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. A single dead sea lion, probably a Steller sea lion bull, was observed, in rapid decomposition, with thousands of slimy maggots on it.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

A few dead jellyfish were seen, they were likely moon jellies. Some organic matter in a state of advanced decomposition was seen too; I tentatively identified it as a concentration of velella jellies.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Styrofoam. The amount of trash astonished me; while most of it was recently-deposited land trash, some marine debris in the form of styrofoam and fishing hooks were noticed, usually next to abandoned fishing lines/ropes.

New Development

Steps down the bluffs and housing along them were not new developments; they had been in place for several years.

Man-made Modifications

No beach modifications caused by humans were noted.

Natural Changes

Major cracks appearing in bluffs, Visible retreat of solid bluff. Cracks in the bluffs and their retreat have been going on for some time.

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All Mile 216 Reports

Showing 8 of 67 reports

Mile 216

Newport, Nye Beach south

November 2, 2024

Observed 3 dead birds, one dead sea lion and a wrackline full of organic debris, including jellies.

Bernadette

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 216

Newport, Nye Beach south

September 29, 2024

Very mild day.

Julie Parker

Mile 216

Newport, Nye Beach south

August 26, 2024

It was a very quiet, beautiful on the Newport coastline.

marney roddick

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 216

Newport, Nye Beach south

April 27, 2024

lots of dead velella!

Julie Parker

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 216

Newport, Nye Beach south

January 27, 2024

Very few people on the beach due to blustery conditions.

Julie Parker

Mile 216

Newport, Nye Beach south

December 9, 2023

Eight total lures were seen, all of them glittery with an orangish hue.

Andy Warrick

Mile 216

Newport, Nye Beach south

December 9, 2023

Sea lion corpse, seven dead birds, the rubber fishing lures, much fishing rope, decomposed jellies, and copious amounts of marine and land debris were all notable observations.

Andy Warrick

Mile 216

Newport, Nye Beach south

October 23, 2023

Took photos of all dead birds, as well as live birds/jellyfish, and some trash and sky

Warrick