Mile 217 - Newport, Nye Beach north, Agate Beach south - November 19, 2008

Report Details

The sky was cloudy, but it was a beautiful day for walking on the beach, with very little wind. There were only a handful of people between Nye Beach and Agate Beach, usually a popular area. The beach was greatly changed from my last report a month ago. The sculpted dunes were flattened and wet, the wrack line, which had been sparse and diffuse, was abundant and well defined. A great deal of kelp had washed ashore, bringing with it many other types of algae and invertebrate animals. There were feathers but no dead birds. There was some picnic debris here and there. Note: This report covers a little more territory than a mile; it runs from Agate Beach Wayside to Nye Beach Turnaround.

Human Activities

Number of people: 7. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 5. I saw a mother and child with two unleashed dogs. The child was mostly in a jogger's stroller, and the mother was running. The dogs were running loose. One of the apparent rock hunters was walking on the bluffs in a sensitive area.

Concerns

Climbing bluffs/seastacks

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 9.

Notable Wildlife

One whimbrel, several gulls and a few crows were visile.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Moon jelly, ochre stars, several sponges, a crinoid, a clump of mussels--animals that seemingly came in with the kelp and other algae mounded up on the wrack line

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. large logs, some charred from beach fires, feathers, egg cases,

Natural Changes

Visible retreat of solid bluff. A small rockfall where there was sedimentary rock at the base of the sandy bluff midway between Jumpoff Joe and Nye Beach access

Actions & Comments

Besides the one person I saw walking on the sandy bluffs, there were footprints from others.

firstrobin

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