Mile 218 - Agate Beach, State Wayside, Little Creek - June 23, 2023

Report Details

*** Watch Note *** This is my first documentation of Mile 218 (Agate Beach) and I will use today's report as a baseline for reporting future changes.Agate Beach was fairly busy for a foggy day. The fisherman reported no catches, and only a handful of agates and jaspers were found by local rockhounds. They noted the increase in sand levels over the past few weeks, typical accumulation for late spring/early summer. There were quite a few surfers on the beach and in the water, and several more who were leaving the Agate Way public access as I was approaching.Several dog owners kept their dogs leashed until closer to the water. One owner was seen in the wetlands area around Little Creek with his unleashed dog. I was attempting to photograph a decomposed skeleton of a gull in the dunes, and the dog grabbed the carcass. It took the owner a few minutes to get the dog to obey commands. It ran with the carcass before dropping it in the creek.Also noted, there was dog feces in many areas along and within dune grass at both the Agate Beach State Wayside and Agate Way public access entrances, and within the dune area near I removed and disposed of one, blue bag of feces found in the dunesAlong the bluffs, wild roses and blackberries were beginning to bloom with a lot of bee activity.Entering from Agate Way Public Access, I noted the roots were exposed for a tree leaning away from the stairs, and the exposed area is filled with loose sand showing bore holes. I'll continue to monitor if this area shows any further signs of degradation.With growing dunes, debris channels are forming in the dune slacks. The majority of the debris is charcoal from campfires, seagrass, and microplastics.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W. Tide Level: 5.2 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 93. Number of dogs: 5. Walking or running: 14. Playing in surf: 16. Playing in sand: 11. Sitting: 5. Photography: 1. Tidepooling: 2. Surfing: 11. Fishing: 1. Other Activities: 4 building a campfire (compliant to local ordinances). Fairly busy for a foggy day. The fisherman reported no catches, and only a handful of agates and jaspers were found by local rockhounds. There were quite a few surfers on the beach and in the water, and several more who were leaving the Agate Way public access as I was approaching.

Concerns

Apparent violations: Dog feces in many areas along and within dune grass at both the Agate Beach State Wayside and Agate Way public access. I removed and disposed of one, blue bag of feces found in the dunes..

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 25.

Notable Wildlife

One moon jelly was at the tide line, but tide was still incoming, so it would likely wash back out without assistance. Along the bluffs, wild roses and blackberries were beginning to bloom with a lot of bee activity.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. Carcas of 1 gull found along Little Creek. A dog, far from its owner, grabbed it before I could get a full picture.

Stranded Marine Mammals

n/a

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Over 50 dead sand fleas noted between the wrackline and waterline, aside from other small crab casings. These may have been remanants from juvenile marine activity, but I am unsure without noting any marks on the shells.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces. Normal concentrations of kelp and sea palms noted in the wrackline.

New Development

No new developments were noted.

Man-made Modifications

No modifications were noted.

Natural Changes

Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff. Entering from Agate Way Public Access, I noted the roots were exposed for a tree leaning away from the stairs, and the exposed area is filled with loose sand showing bore holes. I'll continue to monitor if this area shows any further signs of degradation.

Actions & Comments

*** Watch Note *** This is my first documentation of Mile 218 (Agate Beach) and I will use today's report as a baseline for reporting future changes.With growing dunes, debris channels are forming in the dune slacks. The majority of the debris is charcoal from campfires, seagrass, and microplastics.

Report Images

Entering from Agate Way Public Access, I noted the roots were exposed for a tree leaning away from the stairs, and the exposed area is filled with loose sand showing bore holes. I'll continue to monitor if this area shows any further signs of degradation.

Bluff erosion under vegetation and extinguished campfire

Big Creek at Agate Beach State Recreation Site

One owner was seen in the wetlands area around Little Creek with his unleashed dog. I was attempting to photograph a decomposed skeleton of a gull in the dunes, and the dog grabbed the carcass. It took the owner a few minutes to get the dog to obey comman