Mile 220 - Yaquina Head north, Schooner Creek south - February 12, 2023

Report Details

Started off chilly but the sun was shining and it was a gorgeous day on 220! There was a wrackline of natural items but it held an unusual amount of rubber fishing lures (see photo). There was a very large wooden structure that was in the surf zone as you accessed the beach. The bluffs continue to fall with more rock/cliff falling away every time I walk the beach, changes are constant. Saw 4 Black Oystercatchers flying...heard them first! Many Scoters in the water and one deceased Scoter in the rocks near the north section.

Conditions

Temperature: 39 F. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 1.4 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 12. Number of dogs: 10. Walking or running: 10. Tidepooling: 2.

Concerns

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 6.

Notable Wildlife

4 BLOY flying, about 40 Scoters in the waves

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. Possibly a WWSC? See photo.

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). An extraordinary amount of rubber fishing lures of all colors/sizes and degradation (see photo).

Natural Changes

Landslides/major boulder falls, Major cracks appearing in bluffs, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff.