Mile 218 - Agate Beach, State Wayside, Little Creek - July 20, 2015

Report Details

It was a beautiful, sunny evening with some strong gusts from the north. I walked big creek north along the ocean side to where it flows in front of Yaquina head, then back along the beach. There were few people along the creek and only one interesting shore bird I was able to get a picture of, but don't know my birds. Two structures built of driftwood and a tarp on one toward the middle and end of the creek. Two access of logs across Big Creek. Big Creek has rerouted since last year and is wider and shallower in the middle so it is posssible to walk over easily and find trail remnants to the east bank and back to the parking lot. On the way back along the shore there were scattered seagulls in tidepools, a bicyclist, and as I got to the end before heading to the parking lot, there were lots of people. One family group around a campfire, lots of families, one photographer beside myself. Dunes so high and changing with the wind that walking across them is a challenge.

Conditions

Temperature: 68 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 30. Number of dogs: 6. Walking or running: 23. Sitting: 6. Photography: 2. Surfing: 2. Other Activities: bicycling 1. One family group around a bonfire. Leftover watermelon rind, leftover children's toys, two structures built of driftwood, one with a blue tarp. Tire in big creek. Two access structures, temporary along big creek. One access between parking and dunes.

Concerns

Fire, Litter

Apparent violations: Tire in creek.

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 12.

Notable Wildlife

One seabird at Big Creek. I don't know my birds. Scattered gulls in tidepools from low tide. Two kinds of seaweed.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces.

Man-made Modifications

one tire in stream