Mile 217 Report
Newport, Nye Beach north, Agate Beach south
September 13, 2008
It was a beautiful day on the beach.
Report Details
It was a beautiful day on the beach. The tide was coming in. The beach was still heavily sculpted by wind and water, and there were places that had been made wet with seawater that came far up toward the bluffs in certain places. I was really disappointed by the evidence that people had been climbing on, sliding on, and generally disturbing the fragile bluffs. I saw quite a few children playing in the Nye Creek outflow, which I fear may not always be quite as clean as the marine water, but for adults who dont' want to cross the beach, it's convenient. Note: This report includes a little bit of extra territory. It runs from Agate Beach Wayside to Nye Beach Turnaround.
Human Activities
Number of people: 74. Number of dogs: 12. Walking or running: 58. Playing in sand: 9. Sitting: 8. Other Activities: climging 5, kite 2. There were footprints in the sandy bluff faces in more than one place. At one location, three people were sliding down the cliff, causing sand to loosen and fall.
Concerns
Climbing bluffs/seastacks
Apparent violations: climbing sandy bluffs and sliding down!.Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
12 birds that I think were whimbrels (I didn't approach closely), 25 gulls
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 3. 3 dead birds. One was a large murre, one was a chick, and another an adult (so little remained of the last two that I couldn't positively identify them, but I thought they were also common murres)
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Unusual concentration. sea nettles and mole crabs (not molts; I think the birds were feeding on them)
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.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. firecracker remains, remains of beach fires, broken glass, feathers
Natural Changes
Sand being loosened by people climbing and sliding down bluffs
Actions & Comments
My daughter, who doesn't live in Newport, comes with me on these walks when she can. She thought she saw some bushes or small trees on the bluffs that had been uprooted since she had been here before. I'm afraid I can't verify that.
All Mile 217 Reports
Mile 217
Newport, Nye Beach north, Agate Beach south
I walked Miles 217 and 218, but photos are from Mile 217.
CoastWatch Programs Manager
Mile 217
Newport, Nye Beach north, Agate Beach south
Quick walk during mid-afternoon hours.
IsraelK
Mile 217
Newport, Nye Beach north, Agate Beach south
This is our first winter in Newport.
digincommunity
Mile 217
Newport, Nye Beach north, Agate Beach south
I took more photos of underside & tail of Pacific Ray (tentative ID) then I uploaded.
malachite
Mile 217
Newport, Nye Beach north, Agate Beach south
Tentative ID of a pacific ray on the beach lying in run off stream that, according to linked Google map segment, that is located a little north of NW 20th in Newport, OR.
malachite
Mile 217
Newport, Nye Beach north, Agate Beach south
Last month we had contacted State Parks regarding the need for a Doggie Poop Station.
digincommunity
Mile 217
Newport, Nye Beach north, Agate Beach south
Last month we had contacted State Parks regarding the need for a Doggie Poop Station.
digincommunity