Mile 217 - Newport, Nye Beach north, Agate Beach south - March 22, 2008

Report Details

The tide was beginning to come in. There were several sparse and indistinct wrack lines. The beach was wet to the bluffs. Last month there were virtually no rocks in the tide line; this month, there were some fist-sized rocks. There were more crab molts this time. The number of people on the beach was similar to last time, but they were spread out along the length of the mile more evenly. There were several dogs running free. There were virtually no birds on the beach--a gull flew over occasionally. All the gulls were at the Nye Beach turnaround. There were no other live birds and only one dead tubenose bird, which appeared to be a Northern Fulmar. Note: This report covers a little bit of extra territory. It runs from Agate Beach Wayside to Nye Beach Turnaround.

Human Activities

Number of people: 44. Number of dogs: 7. Walking or running: 35. Playing in sand: 4. Sitting: 1. Other Activities: flying kite, tossing ball-4. In addition to the 44 people on the beach, there were 10 on the concrete viewing area in Nye Beach. Fifteen vehicles were at Agate Beach, 14 at Nye. There were no birds on the beach, although there were many at the Nye turnaround. I thought the number of dogs and people walking the beach might have discouraged them.

Concerns

Litter

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 29.

Notable Wildlife

Last month the seaweed I saw was all the type that resembled grass. This time there were long pieces of kelp and one large tangle.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. Northern fulmar. No entanglement or signs of oiling.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. I noticed a large piece of plywood on the beach.

Actions & Comments

I saw no new large bluff erosion, but it looked as if bluffs in the Jumpoff Joe area were continuing to slowly lose rock and sand.

firstrobin

CoastWatcher

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